Question

A scientist examining the periodic table sees that the element magnesium (Mg) has the atomic number of 12.

Based on this knowledge, what does the scientist immediately know is true about magnesium atoms?

Magnesium atoms have 12 protons.
Magnesium atoms have 6 protons and 6 electrons.
Magnesium atoms have 12 neutrons.
Magnesium atoms have 6 protons and 6 neutrons.

Answer 1

Atoms have protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Answer 2

The answer should be Magnesium atoms have 12 protons. This is because the atomic number of an element indicates how many protons there are. Hope this helps someone down the road!