Question

How do I find the subatomic particles from these isotopes? Zn-32, Sn^+4, and Al. Thank you

Answer 1

See Below

Explanation:

We should do Al first:
Al is atomic number 13 on the periodic table. This is the number of electrons present in Al, too. 13 protons
The molar mass of Al on the periodic table is 26.98 g/mol. To get Al mass number, we just use the rounded version of the molar mass, which would be 27.
Mass number = 27 = Neutrons - Protons.
27= Neutrons - 13. 14 Neutrons.
Since Al is neutral, it has the same number of protons as electrons.
So, for Al:
Protons = 13
electrons = 13
Neutrons = 14

Zinc - when an element says Zn-"#", then this number is the mass number. The problem above, Zn-32 is not correct, since it would cause Zn to have 2 neutrons, and that just won't happen with 30 protons. (so you might want to check that one).

`Sn^"+4"` This means Sn has a + 4 charge, or is missing 4 electrons. Sn Atomic Number is 50, so it has 50 protons...and since it is missing 4 electrons, it has 46 electrons. The atomic mass is 118.7 g/mol, so it's mass number is 119.
Neutrons = Mass number - Atomic Number
Neutrons = 119 - 50 = 69 neutrons.

Hope that helps. Check Zn - whatever its mass number is, just subtract the atomic number from that and you'll have # of neutrons.