Question

Determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in the following isotope. Atomic number 53, mass number 131, charge of 1^-.Number of protons ____Number of neutrons ____Number of electrons ____

Answer 1

Number of protons = 53

Number of neutrons = 78

Number of electrons = 54

Step-by-step explanation

The atomic number of an element is the number of protons in the nucleus of each atom of that element. Neutral atoms of an element contain an equal number of protons and electrons. Since the charge on the isotope is 1⁻, this means the isotope has gained one more electron and the protons and electrons are no longer equal. However, the mass number is the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons in an atom.

Given:

Atomic number = 53,

Mass number = 131,

Charge of 1⁻

Therefore,

Number of protons = 53

Number of neutrons = 131 - 53 = 78

Number of electrons = 54