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Ch.4 Atoms and Elements
Timberlake - Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry 13th Edition
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTimberlake 13th EditionCh.4 Atoms and ElementsProblem 25d
Chapter 4, Problem 25d

Would you use the atomic number, mass number, or both to determine each of the following?
d. number of electrons in a neutral atom

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Understand the concept of a neutral atom: A neutral atom has no overall charge, meaning the number of protons (positively charged particles) is equal to the number of electrons (negatively charged particles).
Recall that the atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom. Since a neutral atom has an equal number of electrons and protons, the atomic number also indicates the number of electrons.
Note that the mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. It does not provide information about the number of electrons.
Conclude that only the atomic number is needed to determine the number of electrons in a neutral atom, as it directly corresponds to the number of protons, which equals the number of electrons in this case.
Avoid using the mass number for this determination, as it does not relate to the electron count in a neutral atom.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Atomic Number

The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which uniquely identifies an element. In a neutral atom, the atomic number also indicates the number of electrons, as the positive charge of protons is balanced by the negative charge of electrons. Therefore, the atomic number is essential for determining the number of electrons in a neutral atom.
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Mass Number

The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. While it provides information about the atom's isotopes and overall mass, it does not directly indicate the number of electrons. Thus, the mass number is not necessary for determining the number of electrons in a neutral atom.
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Neutral Atom

A neutral atom is one where the number of protons equals the number of electrons, resulting in no overall charge. This balance is crucial for understanding atomic structure and behavior in chemical reactions. When identifying the number of electrons in a neutral atom, the atomic number is the key factor, as it directly reflects the number of protons and, consequently, the number of electrons.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Sometimes clothes cling together when removed from a dryer. What kinds of charges are on the clothes?

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Textbook Question

How many protons and electrons are there in a neutral atom of each of the following elements?

a. argon

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Textbook Question

On a dry day, your hair flies apart when you brush it. How would you explain this?

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Textbook Question

Argon has three naturally occurring isotopes, with mass numbers 36, 38, and 40.

a. Write the atomic symbol for each of these atoms.

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Textbook Question

Would you use the atomic number, mass number, or both to determine each of the following?

c. number of particles in the nucleus

Textbook Question

Write the atomic symbol for the isotope with each of the following characteristics:

c. 25 electrons and 28 neutrons

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