An atom of sodium has a larger mass than an atom of neon. How is this possible when neon has so many more valence electrons?
2007-11-29 15:29:16 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
As far as mass is concerned in atoms, protons and neutrons weigh A LOT more than electrons. In fact, if my memory serves me corectly, one electron is equal to one 1836th that of either a proton or neutron.
2007-11-29 15:32:12 · answer #1 · answered by 11dimensions 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An Electron is only 1/1840th of the mass of a Proton (or Neutron) and are considered to be of negligible mass.
The mass of an atom comes from its combined Protons and Neutrons, (together called 'Neucleons').
Na has an Atomic mass of 23 (11 Protons and 12 Neutrons).
Ne Atomic mass = 20 (10 Protons and 10 Neutrons).
Na, therefore has the slightly larger Atomic mass.
2007-11-29 15:41:32 · answer #2 · answered by Norrie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mass of an electron is almost negligible, in regards to the mass of an atom. Protons and neutrons weigh many times what electrons weigh. So the fact that sodium has more of those means it will have a larger mass.
2007-11-29 15:32:37 · answer #3 · answered by Master Maverick 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really has nothing to do with valence electrons. Na has 2 more neutrons and 1 more proton and 1 more electron than Ne. Neutrons and protons are what really make up the atomic mass of an atom, as electrons hardly have any mass at all. Valence electrons have more to do with bonding and reactivity and nothing at all to do with mass.
2007-11-29 15:33:02 · answer #4 · answered by Dani 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sodium has a larger mass than neon because it has more protons and neutrons. Electrons have nearly no mass. It takes 1836 of them to equal the mass of a single proton. Bottom line ... electrons don't count .
2007-11-29 15:36:06 · answer #5 · answered by Dennis M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electons are so insignficant weight wise they usually are just completely ignored when calculating the mass of an atom. So atomic mass=protons+neutrons.
2007-11-29 15:33:14 · answer #6 · answered by The Voice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electrons are like Chihuahua dogs fast and noisy but they don't weigh much. Neutrons and Protons are like St. Bernard's dogs. The are not so quick but much more massive.
Ne has 20 St Bernards'
Na has 23 St. Bernards'
Doesn't really matter how many Chihuahuas are chasing them around.
2007-11-29 15:36:59 · answer #7 · answered by don_sv_az 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
electrons have virtually no weight. the nucleus of an atom is like 99.99999% or some of its weight. That's why the atomic mass does not include the mass of the electrons.
2007-11-29 15:33:35 · answer #8 · answered by Rachael B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋