Question

If the atomic number of an element is 8 and the mass number is 16, the number of neutrons in an atom of that element is what? (show work)

Answer 1

8.

Step-by-step explanation:

Atomic number tells us the number of protons in an element. Mass number is the total amount of mass in an atom, and it comes from the sum of the mass of protons and neutrons, which are both considered to have a mass of 1 amu.

If the total mass is 16amu and 8amu comes from the 8 protons, the remaining mass comes from neutrons.

16 - 8 = 8