What is the next prime number after 7?

The next prime number after 7 is 11 because prime numbers are defined as natural numbers greater than 1 that have no positive divisors other than 1 and themselves. Starting from 8, we can see that 8 is divisible by 1, 2, 4, and 8, so it is not prime. The number 9 is divisible by 1, 3, and 9, thus it is also not prime. The number 10 is divisible by 1, 2, 5, and 10, making it not prime either. However, 11 has only two distinct positive divisors: 1 and 11. Therefore, it qualifies as a prime number, and since it comes immediately after 7, it is the correct answer.