Build an Atom
On the home screen, select “Atom.” Using as many electrons, neutrons, and protons and possible, what is the largest neutral atom you can build?
(1 point)
Responses
neon (Ne)
fluorine (F)
sodium (Na)
magnesium (Mg)
The largest neutral atom that can be built using the given options is magnesium (Mg).
To build the largest neutral atom possible using the given options, we need to determine the element with the greatest number of electrons, neutrons, and protons.
Let's compare the electron configurations of the given options:
- Neon (Ne): Neon has an atomic number of 10, which means it has 10 electrons. Its electron configuration is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6.
- Fluorine (F): Fluorine has an atomic number of 9, which means it has 9 electrons. Its electron configuration is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^5.
- Sodium (Na): Sodium has an atomic number of 11, which means it has 11 electrons. Its electron configuration is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1.
- Magnesium (Mg): Magnesium has an atomic number of 12, which means it has 12 electrons. Its electron configuration is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2.
Since the largest neutral atom is the one with the most electrons, the largest neutral atom we can build using the given options is magnesium (Mg) with 12 electrons.