Question

Give the correct symbols to identify an atom that contains (a) 4 protons, 4 electrons, and 5 neutrons; (b) 23 protons, 23 electrons, and 28 neutrons; (c) 54 protons, 54 electrons, and 70 neutrons; and (d) 31 protons, 31 electrons, and 38 neutrons.

Answer 1

Explanation :

Atomic number is defined as the number of protons or number of electrons.

Atomic number = number of protons = number of electrons

Atomic mass is defined as the sum of number of protons and number of neutrons.

Atomic mass = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

(a) 4 protons, 4 electrons, and 5 neutrons

Atomic number = Number of protons = Number of electrons = 4

Atomic mass = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

Atomic mass = 4 + 5 = 9

The element that contains 4 protons, 4 electrons, and 5 neutrons is, Beryllium and the symbol is, (Be).

(b) 23 protons, 23 electrons, and 28 neutrons

Atomic number = Number of protons = Number of electrons = 23

Atomic mass = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

Atomic mass = 23 + 28 = 51

The element that contains 23 protons, 23 electrons, and 28 neutrons is, vanadium and the symbol is, (V).

(c) 54 protons, 54 electrons, and 70 neutrons

Atomic number = Number of protons = Number of electrons = 54

Atomic mass = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

Atomic mass = 54 + 70 = 124

The element that contains 54 protons, 54 electrons, and 70 neutrons is, xenon and the symbol is, (Xe).

(d) 31 protons, 31 electrons, and 38 neutrons

Atomic number = Number of protons = Number of electrons = 31

Atomic mass = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

Atomic mass = 31 + 38 = 69

The element that contains 31 protons, 31 electrons, and 38 neutrons is, gallium and the symbol is, (Ga).