How many electrons, and how many protons, does an atom have?
2 Answers
Assuming the atom is neutral, then the total number of electrons present is the same as the number of protons (an elements Atomic Number in the period table).
Explanation:
If an atom has a charge (i.e.
An electron has a negative (-1) charge and so an ion with a -1 charge will have gained an electron and so it's total number of electrons will now be it's atomic number plus one.
If an ion has a positive charge it has lost electrons. So a +1 ion charge will mean the ions total number of electrons will be it's original atomic number minus one.
Well what is the atom....?
Explanation:
...specifically, what is
Let us take for example...
If we gots an electrically neutral atom, then if there are the 8 positively charged, massive particles, i.e. protons, and there are by SPECIFICATION, THERE MUST be 8 electrons in the NEUTRAL ATOM....and these electrons are conceived to whizz about the nuclear core in all sorts of fancy orbits, with fancy energies. And because the element lies towards the right of the Periodic Table as we face it
Its propensity to pick up electrons, to become reduced, may also be rationalized on the basis that
Confused yet? What I am saying is that you should refer to the Periodic Table in all your consideration of chemistry. And the Periodic Table is always an allowed examination material. You still have to learn how to use it effectively. Given the name of the atom, the Table gives you