Question

Determine the number of protons neutrons and electrons in 3216s2

Answer 1

Number of protons = 16

Number of neutrons = 16

Number of electrons = 18

Step-by-step explanation:

The atom given is (32,16)S_2.

This simply Sulphur atom.

What (32,16)S_2 implies is that;

Atomic number = 16

Mass number = 32

Now atomic number means number of protons present in the atom

While mass number means number of sum of protons and neutrons present in the atom

Thus;

Number of protons = 16

Number of neutrons = 32 - 16 = 16

Now, for a neutral atom, number of protons is equal to number of electrons.

However, in this case it's not neutral but has a charge of -2.

Thus,

Number of electrons = 16 + 2 = 18 electrons