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Chapter 3: Problem 35

What else besides an atom's mass number would you need to determine its elemental identity? Explain how you would use it along with the mass number.

Short Answer

Expert verified
To determine the elemental identity of an atom, one needs to find its atomic number (Z), which represents the number of protons in the nucleus, in addition to its mass number (A). The atomic number is unique for each element and determines its position in the periodic table. Once the atomic number is found, the number of neutrons (N) can be calculated using the formula: \[ N = A - Z \] By identifying the atomic number and knowing the number of neutrons, the element in the periodic table can be located, and its elemental identity is determined by the combination of the element's name and its mass number.

Step by step solution

01

Understand mass number and atomic number

The mass number (A) of an atom is the total number of protons and neutrons present in its nucleus, whereas the atomic number (Z) represents the number of protons in the nucleus. Each element has a unique atomic number that defines its position in the periodic table and its properties.
02

Determine the atomic number (number of protons)

In order to identify the element, the atomic number (Z) must be found. It can be provided or determined from other information (e.g., the number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to the number of protons). The element can then be identified using the periodic table by locating the element with that atomic number.
03

Calculate the number of neutrons

Once you have found the atomic number (Z), you can calculate the number of neutrons (N) by using the mass number (A) and the atomic number (Z). The relationship is given by: \[ N = A - Z \] This will give you the number of neutrons in the atom.
04

Identify the element and its isotope

Using the atomic number (Z), you can now identify the element by locating it in the periodic table. Knowing the number of neutrons (N) will tell you which isotope of that element you have. The combination of the element's name (determined by its atomic number) and its mass number (total number of protons and neutrons) provides the elemental identity of the atom.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Does knowing how many electrons a neutral atom has tell you its elemental identity? Explain.

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