Uranium has at. no. 92 and atomic weight \(238.029 .\) Calculate the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in uranium atom.

In the fascinating world of chemistry, the atomic number is a fundamental concept that allows us to understand elements at their very core. The atomic number of an element is defined as the number of protons that reside in the nucleus of an atom of that element. It is represented by the symbol 'Z'.

For instance, uranium, which is often discussed in nuclear physics and chemistry, has an atomic number of 92. This means that every atom of uranium possesses 92 protons in its nucleus. The atomic number is not just a number; it serves as an element's unique identifier because no two different elements can have the same atomic number. This attribute is so crucial because it essentially determines the chemical properties of the element and its placement on the periodic table.

Atoms are made up of three main particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Each type of particle plays a significant role in the atom's structure and function.

Protons

Protons are positively charged particles found within the atom's nucleus. The number of protons in an atom's nucleus gives us the atomic number, and it's also equal to the number of electrons in a neutral atom, ensuring the overall electric charge is balanced.

Neutrons

Neutrons, with no electric charge, also reside in the nucleus alongside protons. The number of neutrons contributes to the atom's mass but not its charge. Neutrons stabilize the nucleus, and the number of neutrons relative to protons is crucial in determining an isotope's stability.

Electrons

Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in various energy levels or shells. Despite being much smaller than protons and neutrons, their presence in the correct number is vital in maintaining an atom's neutrality and facilitating the formation of chemical bonds.

The atomic weight, or atomic mass, is a weight calculated from the isotopes of an element weighted by their respective natural abundances. It gives an approximate figure of how much one atom of an element weighs and is often used to calculate the number of neutrons.

To find the atomic weight, you might think of it as a balance scale at the atomic level. The mass of an atom is dominated by the mass of its protons and neutrons, as electrons are so light in comparison that they barely tip the scale. To calculate the number of neutrons in an atom, we use a simple formula: Neutron number = Atomic weight - Atomic number. For uranium, with an atomic weight of approximately 238.029, and an atomic number of 92, we subtract to find the number of neutrons. Remember, since neutrons cannot be split, we round the atomic weight to the nearest whole number before subtracting, ensuring we end up with a whole number of neutrons.