What is the atomic number and what does the atomic number indicate?

The atomic number or proton number (symbol Z) of a chemical element is the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom. It is identical to the charge number of the nucleus. The atomic number uniquely identifies a chemical element. In an uncharged atom, the atomic number is also equal to the number of electrons.

Atomic number is a number of element to show his situation in periodic table.

Atomic number indicate number of electrons

the density(ratio between mass and volume as m/v) decreases from top to bottom in periodic table group as the size increases and nuclear charge decreases. but in periods density increases from left to right as atom size decreases and nuclear charge increases.