Question

If a neutral atom has a mass of 12 amu and an atomic number of 5, determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in the atom.

Answer 1

Answer:

Number of neutrons = 7

The number of protons = The number of electrons = 5

Explanation:

Atomic number : It is defined as the number of electrons or number of protons present in a neutral atom.

However, when we talk about the atomic number of the ion, it is not equal to the number of electrons as electron can be gained or loosed.

This is why, more appropriately, the number of the protons which are present in the nucleus of the atom is called the atomic number.

Thus, atomic number = 5

Since, it is a neutral atom, The number of protons = The number of electrons = 5

Mass number is the number of the entities present in the nucleus which is the equal to the sum of the number of protons and electrons.

Mass number = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

12 =  5 + Number of neutrons

Number of neutrons = 7

Answer 2

Mass number = total protons + neutrons, and proton number = total protons (and therefore electrons, if not an ion.) Therefore: Neutrons = 12 - 5 = 7 Protons = 5 Electrons = 5