the atomic number is consider a unique atom and element identifier. Describe the associated subatomic particle, and how it can be used to identify the atom.

The associated subatomic particle is the proton. The proton is a subatomic particle located in the nucleus with a + 1 charge and weight of 1amu. The number of protons is always consistent within an element. Ie Hydrogen will always have one proton and oxygen will always have 8 protons.