Question

Iron atoms have been detected in the sun's atmosphere, some with many of their electrons stripped away. What is the net electric charge (in coulombs) of an iron atom with 26 protons and 12 electrons

Answer 1

the net electric charge of the iron atom is 2.24 × 10⁻¹⁸ C

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the data in the question;

we know that neural iron atoms should have same number of protons and electrons i.e 26 and 26 but in the sun's atmosphere, many of their electrons stripped away.

so; we have 26 protons and 12 electrons, meaning ( 26-12=14) 14 electrons have been stripped away.

when we loss electron, we gain positive charge

so, the Net charge of the iron atom of with 26 protons and 12 electrons will be;

q = 26 ( proton charge) + 12( electron charge )

we know that; a singular proton has a charge of 1.6×10⁻¹⁹ C

protons carry negative charge while electrons carry negative

we substitute

q = 26 ( 1.6×10⁻¹⁹ ) + 12( -1.6×10⁻¹⁹ )

q = 2.24 × 10⁻¹⁸ C

Therefore, the net electric charge of the iron atom is 2.24 × 10⁻¹⁸ C