Question

1. Define the terms "atomic number" and "atomic mass."

2. Explain how you can use both of these terms to find the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in a neutral atom of Neon (Ne). Pretend you are teaching this class to someone who doesn't know anything about chemistry - be very specific and provide step-by-step instructions!

3. Calculate the # of protons, electrons, and neutrons for an atom of Neon using your instructions

Neon

#protons = ___ (Explain how you found this)
#neutrons = ___ (Explain how you found this)
#electrons = ___ (Explain how you found this)

Answer 1

1. Atomic number of an element is the number of protons present in the nucleus of its atom. It is denoted by the letter Z.

Atomic mass of the element is the total number of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of its atom. It is denoted by the letter A.

2. Atomic number = Number of protons in the nucleus

= Number of electrons revolving around nucleus

So if you were asked to find the protons and electrons of a certain element, see the atomic number as protons and neutrons equals the atomic number.

And if you were asked to find its neutrons, then atomic number Z – atomic mass number A.

3. For example, say Neon

We have :

Mass number (A) = 20

Atomic number (Z) = 10

Number of Protons = 10

Number of Electrons = 10

Number of Neutrons (A–Z) = 10

Electronic distribution :

K= 2

L= 8

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Atomic number is the number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom

Atomic mass is the total number of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom.

2. Atomic number gives you the number of protons in an atom. Protons are positively charged particles and hence require an equal number of negatively charged particles (called electrons) to give a neutral atom. Hence, the number of electrons in an atom is the same as the number of protons in a neutral atom. Because the atomic mass is the addition of both neutrons and protons, the number of neutrons can be determined by subtracting the atomic number (number of protons) of an atom from the atomic mass of the same atom.

3. Neon has an atomic number of 10 and a mass number of 20

The number of protons in Neon = 10 (because the atomic number is the number of protons).

The number of neutrons in Neon = 10 (because the number of neutrons in Neon is gotten by subtracting the atomic number of Neon, 10, from it's atomic mass, 20)

The number of electrons in Neon = 10 (because the number of electrons in a neutral atom is the same with the number of protons in that atom)