The key to answering this question is that as you increase the atomic number you are forming a "neutral" atom. In order to be neutral, an atom has to have an equal number of positive charges (protons in the nucleus) and negative charges (electrons around the nucleus).
So every time you increase the atomic number by one proton, you also have to increase the number of electrons by one.
See eNotes Ad-Free
Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.
Already a member? Log in here.