An isotope of iron has 28 neutrons. If the atomic mass of the isotope is 54, how many protons does it have?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 1, 2016

If it is an iron isotope, then it has 26 protons, period.

Explanation:

The iron atom is characterized by an atomic number, Z=26. That is every iron nucleus contains 26 protons, 26, massive, positively charged, nuclear particles, by definition.

Of course, the nucleus also contains 28 neutrons, 28 neutral, massive nuclear particles, to give the 54Fe isotope, which is about 4% abundant, check on this.

The number of protons, the number of massive, positively charged, nuclear particles, ALWAYS defines the identity of the element.

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