Final answer:
The mass number of a neutral boron atom with a total of 16 particles is the sum of its protons and neutrons, which is 11 (5 protons + 6 neutrons).
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the mass number of a neutral atom of boron with a total of 16 particles (protons, neutrons, and electrons), it is first important to remember that the atomic number of boron is 5, which means there are 5 protons in its nucleus. Since the atom is electrically neutral, there must also be 5 electrons. The remaining particles are neutrons, and they contribute to the mass number along with the protons. Subtracting the number of protons and electrons (5 protons and 5 electrons) from the total particles (16), we are left with 6 neutrons.
The mass number is the sum of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Therefore, for boron, the mass number is 5 protons + 6 neutrons = 11.
The correct answer is therefore: C: 11.