Question

An atom of sodium-23 (Na-23) has a net charge of +1. Identify the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in the atom. Then, explain how you determined the number of each type of particle. Use the periodic table to help you.

Answer 1

Na-23 probably means it has 23 neutrons. Na is on the 11th spot of the periodic table, so it probably has 11 protons and 10 electrons since it is +1

Answer 2

It has 11 protons because sodium's atomic number is 11, it has 10 electrons because a neutral sodium atom has 11 but this one is missing one so it has a charge of +1, and it has 12 neutrons because the atomic mass is number of neutrons plus the number of protons so 23-11=12.