Question

An atom of the element sodium has an atomic number of 11 and an atomic weight of 23. If it is neutral, how many protons, neutrons, and electrons does it have?

1) 11 protons, 11 neutrons, 11 electrons
2) 11 protons, 23 neutrons, 11 electrons
3) 23 protons, 11 neutrons, 23 electrons
4) 13 protons, 56 neutrons, 13 electrons
5) 11 protons, 12 neutrons, 11 electrons

Answer 1

A neutral atom of sodium (Na) with an atomic number of 11 and atomic weight of 23 has 11 protons, 12 neutrons, and 11 electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

An atom of sodium with an atomic number of 11 and an atomic weight of 23, which is neutral, has 11 protons, 11 electrons, and 12 neutrons. The atomic number represents the number of protons and, in a neutral atom, also the number of electrons. To calculate the number of neutrons, you subtract the atomic number (11) from the atomic weight (23), resulting in 12 neutrons. Therefore, the correct option is: 11 protons, 12 neutrons, 11 electrons.