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If you have 5 protons and 6 neutrons, how many electrons would you add to make a neutral atom?

Group of answer choices

5 electrons

6 electrons

11 electrons

User Josedlujan
by
4.5k points

1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

The correct option is;

5 electrons

Explanation:

The charge of the proton is equal to 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹C while the charge of one electron is -1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹C

Therefore, given that the atom is to be electrically neutral, we have;

The initial charge of the atom = 5 × 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹C = 8.01 × 10⁻¹⁹C

The charge of the added electron + The charge of the present proton = 0

Therefore;

The charge of the added electron + 8.01 × 10⁻¹⁹C = 0

The charge of the added electrons = 0 - 8.01 × 10⁻¹⁹C = -8.01 × 10⁻¹⁹C

The charge of one electron = -1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹C

The number of electrons = The charge of the added electrons/(The charge of one electron)

The number of electrons = -8.01 × 10⁻¹⁹C/(-1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹C) = 5 electrons

The number of electrons to be added = 5 electrons.

User TheOnlyIdiot
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