Let the atomic weight and atomic number of an element be represented by A and Z respectively. Determine the number of neutrons contained within its atom ?
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Answer: B. A – Z
Explanation
The number of neutrons inside an atomic nucleus is calculated by subtracting atomic number from mass number. Mass number represents total nucleons while atomic number represents total protons present in the atom. Subtracting protons from total nucleons yields the exact count of neutral neutrons in the nucleus. Atomic symbols use the letter A to denote mass number and the letter Z to denote atomic number. Protons and neutrons together comprise almost the entire mass of any given atomic nucleus. Isotopes of the same element share atomic number Z but have different mass numbers A.
Chemistry and physics students use this fundamental formula to determine subatomic particle counts quickly. Nuclear engineers track neutron counts to understand stability and fission potential of heavy elements. Accurate calculation of neutrons is essential for balancing nuclear reaction equations in research. Adding atomic number and mass number together does not yield any meaningful physical subatomic count. Stating that the number of neutrons equals just A represents the total mass number instead of neutrons. Stating that neutrons equal Z incorrectly equates neutrons with the number of protons in the atom.
- Subject
- Engineering
- Category
- Chemical Engineering
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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