Question

An atom of magnesium has an atomic number of 12 and a mass number of 24. how many neutrons are in the neclues

Answer 1

Magnesium has 12 protons and 12 neutrons.

Answer 2

Answer : The number of neutrons present in the nucleus are, 12 neutrons.

Explanation :

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

Atomic number = number of protons = number of electrons

Mass number is defined as the sum of number of protons and number of neutrons.

Number of neutrons = Mass number - Number of protons

As we are given :

Atomic number = 12

Mass number = 24

For neutral atom, the number of protons will be:

Atomic number = Number of protons = Number of electrons = 12

Now we have to determine the number of neutrons for magnesium element.

Number of neutrons = Mass number - Number of protons

Number of neutrons = 24 - 12

Number of neutrons = 12

Therefore, the number of neutrons present in the nucleus are, 12 neutrons.