Question

If you have 5 protons and 6 neutrons, how many electrons would you add to make a neutral atom?

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct option is;

5 electrons

Step-by-step explanation:

The charge of the proton is equal to 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹C while the charge of one electron is -1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹C

Therefore, given that the atom is to be electrically neutral, we have;

The initial charge of the atom = 5 × 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹C = 8.01 × 10⁻¹⁹C

The charge of the added electron + The charge of the present proton = 0

Therefore;

The charge of the added electron + 8.01 × 10⁻¹⁹C = 0

The charge of the added electrons = 0 - 8.01 × 10⁻¹⁹C = -8.01 × 10⁻¹⁹C

The charge of one electron = -1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹C

The number of electrons = The charge of the added electrons/(The charge of one electron)

The number of electrons = -8.01 × 10⁻¹⁹C/(-1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹C) = 5 electrons

The number of electrons to be added = 5 electrons.