Question

How would you determine the total number of electrons found in an atom?

Answer 1

You would look up the atomic number, `Z`, of that atom.......

Explanation:

To a firat approximation all matter, and thus all elements, are neutral. `Z`, the atomic number, represents the number of positive, nucular charges; i.e. `Z=1`, `"hydrogen"`, `Z=2`, `"helium"`.......`Z=23`, `"vanadium"`.

For every positively charged nuclear there MUST be a negatively charged EXTRA-NUCLEAR particle, i.e. an electron, conceived to whizz about the nuclear core.

Of course, elements can form ions, with a net charge defined by the excess or deficiency of electrons with respect to the atomic number `Z`.