Question

Describe in your own words how you determine the number of neutrons in an element.

Options:
a) Count the electrons and subtract them from the atomic number.
b) Subtract the atomic number from the mass number.
c) Add the protons and electrons.
d) Multiply the atomic number by 2.

Answer 1

The number of neutrons in an element can be determined by subtracting its atomic number from its mass number, which gives you the neutron count.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the number of neutrons in an element, you subtract the atomic number (Z) from the mass number (A). The atomic number is equal to the number of protons and coincidentally the number of electrons in a neutral atom. The mass number is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons. Since the atomic number represents protons, subtracting it from the mass number, which is essentially the combined count of protons and neutrons, leaves you with just the number of neutrons. For example, carbon has an atomic number of 6 and a mass number of 12 (in its most common isotope), so it has 6 neutrons (12 - 6 = 6).