Question

If an isotope of sulfur has 16 protons, 17 neutrons, and 16 electrons, its mass number (in amu) is

Answer 1

The mass number of a sulfur isotope with 16 protons, 17 neutrons, and 16 electrons is 33 atomic mass units (amu).

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked for the mass number of a sulfur isotope with 16 protons, 17 neutrons, and 16 electrons. The mass number is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. For this sulfur isotope, the mass number can be calculated by adding the number of protons (16) to the number of neutrons (17), which equals 33 amu (atomic mass units).

As seen in other examples, such as with carbon where a carbon-12 atom has a mass number of 12, the mass number is critical in distinguishing isotopes of an element. This sulfur isotope, with a mass number of 33, would be represented as S-33.