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Chapter 3: Problem 71

For hundreds of years, alchemists searched for ways to turn various metals into gold. How would the structure of an atom of \(\frac{202}{80} \mathrm{Hg}\) (mercury) have to be changed for the atom to become an atom of \(\stackrel{197}{79}\) Au \((\) gold \() ?\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
In order for an atom of Mercury (\(\frac{202}{80} \mathrm{Hg}\)) to become an atom of Gold (\(\stackrel{197}{79}\) Au), one proton and four neutrons would need to be removed.

Step by step solution

01

Analysis of the Mercury Atom

An atom of Mercury (\(\frac{202}{80} \mathrm{Hg}\)) has 80 protons as its atomic number is 80 (found at the bottom of the fraction) and a mass number of 202 (the sum of the protons and the neutrons, found at the top of the fraction). Therefore, mercury has 122 neutrons (202-80).
02

Analysis of the Gold Atom

An atom of gold (\(\stackrel{197}{79}\) Au) has 79 protons in its nucleus (the number 79 being the atomic number) and a mass number of 197. This means gold has 118 neutrons (197-79).
03

Change in Atom Structure to Transmute Mercury to Gold

To change an atom of Mercury into an atom of Gold, it would be necessary to remove 1 proton (which will also change the atomic number from 80 to 79) and 4 neutrons (which will change the mass number from 202 to 197).

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Calculate the number of electrons of the atom whose mass number is 75 and whose number of neutrons is 42.

Research the development of the scanning tunneling microscope, which can be used to make images of atoms. Find out what information about the structure of atoms these microscopes have provided.

What are neutrons?

Calculate Numbers of Protons, Electrons, and Neutrons. A graphing calculator can run a program that calculates the numbers of protons, electrons, and neutrons given the atomic mass and numbers for an atom. For example,given a calcium-40 atom, you will calculate the numbers of protons, electrons, and neutrons in the atom. Go to Appendix C. If you are using a TI-83 Plus, you can download the program NUMBER and data and can run the applica- tion as directed. If you are using another calculator, your teacher will provide you with keystrokes and data sets to use. After you have run the program, answer the questions below. \begin{equation} \begin{array}{l}{\text { a. Which element has the most protons? }} \\ {\text { b. How many neutrons does mercury-zol }} \\ {\text { have? }} \\ {\text { c. Carbon-12 and carbon-14 have the same }} \\ {\text { atomic number. Do they have the same }} \\ {\text { number of neutrons? Why or why not? }}\end{array} \end{equation}

Write the electron configuration of tin.
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