Q. 4.30 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

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

a. carbon

b. fluorine

c. tin

d. nickel

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

a. $6$ protons, $6$ electrons
b. $50$ protons, $50$ electrons
c. $9$ protons, $9$ electrons
d. $28$ protons, $28$ electrons

Part(a) Step 1: Given information

We need to find the number of protons and electrons for carbon.

Part(a) Step 2: Explanation

We know that atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons present in it and for a neutral atom, the number of electrons and protons are equal.

Atomic number of carbon is $6$ so,

Number of protons in carbon are $6$.

Number of electrons in carbon are $6$.

Part(b) Step 1: Given information

We need to find the number of protons and electrons for fluorine.

Part(b) Step 2: Explanation

We know that atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons present in it and for a neutral atom, the number of electrons and protons are equal.

Atomic number of fluorine is $9$ so,

Number of protons in fluorine are $9$.

Number of electrons in fluorine are $9$.

Part(c) Step 1: Given information

We need to find the number of protons and electrons for tin.

Part(c) Step 2: Explanation

We know that atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons present in it and for a neutral atom, the number of electrons and protons are equal.

Atomic number of tin is $50$ so,

Number of protons in tin are $50$,

Number of electrons in tin are $50$.

Part(d) Step 1: Given information

We need to find the number of protons and electrons for nickel.

Part(d) Step 2: Explanation

We know that atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons present in it and for a neutral atom, the number of electrons and protons are equal.

Atomic number of nickel is $28$ so,

Number of protons in nickel are $28$.

Number of electrons in nickel are $28$