Question

Most hydrogen (H, #1) atoms have a mass of 1. How many neutrons would there be in one of these hydrogen atoms? (1 pt)

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Answer 1

0

Step-by-step explanation:

All atoms are made up of particles known as protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Mass Number

The mass number of an atom is most commonly given in amus. Amu stands for atomic mass unit. In an atom, a proton = 1 amu, a neutron = 1 amu, and an electron = 0 amu. Since atoms are so small, it is hard to measure a singular in normal units such as grams. So, instead, scientists use amus. Comparatively, protons and neutrons are far larger than electrons. This is why electrons are given a mass of 0 amu. Of course, electrons do technically have mass, but that mass is so small that it is negligible in many calculations.

Counting Neutrons

When given the atomic number and mass number, it is easy to find the number of neutrons. The atomic number of an element tells you how many protons there are. The mass number gives you the mass of the atom in amus; this number is equal to protons + neutrons. This means that mass number - atomic number = neutron number.

So, we can set up a very simple equation to find the number of neutrons.

• 1 - 1 = 0 neutrons.

Most hydrogen atoms have no neutrons.