Question

Which combination of protons, neutrons, and electrons is correct for the isotope of copper, ⁶³Cu?

A) 29 p⁺, 29 n°, 63 e⁻
B) 29 p⁺, 34 n°, 29 e⁻
C) 63 p⁺, 29 n°, 63 e⁻
D) 34 p⁺, 29 n°, 34 e⁻
E) 34 p⁺, 34 n°, 29 e⁻

Answer 1

The correct combination of protons, neutrons, and electrons for the isotope of copper, ⁶³Cu, is 29 p⁺, 29 n°, 63 e⁻.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct combination of protons, neutrons, and electrons for the isotope of copper, ⁶³Cu, is option A) 29 p⁺, 29 n°, 63 e⁻.

Copper has an atomic number of 29, which indicates that it has 29 protons. The isotope ⁶³Cu also has 29 protons.

The atomic mass of copper is 63.5, so the isotope ⁶³Cu must have (63.5 - 29) = 34 neutrons.

Since copper is neutral overall, it must have an equal number of electrons as protons, so the isotope ⁶³Cu also has 63 electrons.