Question

How do we measure the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons inside an atom? What experiments can be conducted to determine, for example, that an iron atom contains 26 protons?

Answer 1

The number of protons, electrons, and neutrons in an atom can be determined by looking at its atomic number and mass number.

Step-by-step explanation:

The number of protons, electrons, and neutrons in an atom can be determined by looking at its atomic number and mass number. The atomic number represents the number of protons in the nucleus, so to determine the number of protons in an iron atom, we look at its atomic number, which is 26.

Similarly, the number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to the number of protons. To determine the number of neutrons, we subtract the number of protons from the mass number. In the case of iron, its atomic mass is 56, so subtracting 26 protons gives us 30 neutrons.