Question

Explain how you can determine the number of electrons surrounding the nucleus of an atom of any of the elements listed in the table

Answer 1

Answer: with the atomic number.

Explanation:

The table is missing, but I can explain you how to do it, which is the best thing for you because it will permit you understand and solve problems of this kind by yourself.

1) Every element in the periodic table (there are 118 element) are ordered by atomic number. Not two elements have the same atomic number and all the elements from tomic number 1 to atomic number 118 are listed on the periodic table.

2) The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the element.

3) The atoms of the elements are neutral particles, and given that the magnitude of the charge of a proton is the same than the magnitude of the charge of an electron, the number of electons in an atom is the same number of protons.

4) Here are some examples:

Element/symbol   atomic number    number of protons    number of electrons

Hydrogen, H          1                         1                                 1
Helium, He            2                          2                                 2
Lithium, Li             3                          3                                 3
Berilium. Be          4                          4                                 4
Boron, B                5                          5                                 5
Carbon, C              6                          6                                 6

For ions it is different, because ions are atoms with charges, this is they have lost or gained electrons.

Every positive charge on an ion means that it has loss one electron.

Every negative charge on an ion means that it has gain one electron.