Question

How would you use the periodic table to identify the atomic number, atomic mass, and number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom of neon (Ne)?

Answer 1

First you need a Periodic Table........

Explanation:

And the Periodic Table will tell you that for Neon gas, `Z=10`, i.e. there are 10 positively charged particles in the neon nucleus. If there are 10 nuclear charges, there must be 10 electronic charges, because neon is a neutral gas (as is all of matter).

The symbol also quotes the atomic mass, `20.180*"amu"`. Since electrons have negligible mass the neon atom MUST contain 10 other heavy particles, and these are neutrons, located in the atomic nucleus.