An element has 33 electrons and 75 neutrons. How many protons will it have it it is a neutral atom?

1 Answer
anor277
May 3, 2017

It will have 33 protons...........

Explanation:

And you should be able to tell me the identity of the element given that you must have a Periodic Table at hand.

Atoms are characterized by the number of protons, massive, positively charged particles, that reside in their nuclei. The number of protons give #Z#, the atomic number: #Z=1#, hydrogen; #Z=2#, helium; #Z=6#, carbon...........#Z=92#, uranium. Since the protons are positively charged, there must be an equivalent number of electrons, fundamental, negatively charged particles in the NEUTRAL element. The assignment of charge is arbitrary; the point is that electrons and protons have equal BUT opposite electronic charge.

See [here for further treatment.](https://socratic.org/questions/why-do-all-isotopes-of-hydrogen-have-an-atomic-number-of-1#216989)

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