How many neutrons are found in one atom of #""^36Cl#?

1 Answer

The number of neutrons in an atom of #""^36"Cl"# is #19#.

Explanation:

The symbol #""^36"Cl"# is the nuclear notation for chlorine-36, which is the mass number, #color(red)("A")#, for this particular chlorine isotope. The mass number is the sum of the protons and neutrons in the atomic nuclei of an isotope.

#color(red)("Z")+color(purple)("N")=color(blue)("A")#

You can determine the number of protons in a chlorine atom by looking it up on the periodic table, where you will see that its atomic number, #color(red)("Z")#, is #17#.

The number of neutrons, #color(purple)("N")#, in an isotope of an element is the difference between the mass number and atomic number.

#color(blue)("A")-color(red)("Z")=color(purple)("N")#

#color(blue)(36)-color(red)(17)=color(purple)(19)"#

The number of neutrons in an atom of #""^36"Cl"# isotope is #19#.

You can write the symbol for the isotope chlorine-36 in nuclear notation (also called isotopic notation) as follows.

#""_17^36"Cl"#

You can subtract the bottom number from the top number to determine the number of neutrons

http://chemistry-batz.wikispaces.com/04+Atomic+Structure