how do i figure out how many electrons and neutrons are in an element
2007-10-01 14:27:25 · 2 answers · asked by corndog 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Look at the atomic number. That's the number of protons. Then that is also the number olf electrons. Look at the atomic weight or atomic mass number. Cl is atomic number 17. One mass number is 35; the other is 37. So the two isotopes have 18 and 20 neutrons respectively.
2007-10-01 14:31:57 · answer #1 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The atomic number = protons
The mass number = protons + neutrons
So neutrons = mass number - protons
If the atom is neutral then electrons = protons
Example:
Fe is atomic number 26
An isotope of Fe has a mass of 56
The number of protons = 26
The number of neutrons = 56 - 26 = 30
The number of electrons = 26
2007-10-01 14:30:10 · answer #2 · answered by Marvin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋