Use the simulation to answer the question.
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?
fluorine (F)
sodium (Na)
neon (Ne)
magnesium (Mg)
To determine the largest neutral atom that can be built using the given particles, we need to consider the atomic numbers and electron configurations of each element.
Fluorine (F) has an atomic number of 9. Its electron configuration is 2-7.
Sodium (Na) has an atomic number of 11. Its electron configuration is 2-8-1.
Neon (Ne) has an atomic number of 10. Its electron configuration is 2-8.
Magnesium (Mg) has an atomic number of 12. Its electron configuration is 2-8-2.
To build a neutral atom, we need to balance the number of protons and electrons. The number of protons is determined by the atomic number, so we cannot change that. However, we can adjust the number of neutrons to create different isotopes of the same element.
Comparing the electron configurations, we can see that the largest neutral atom we can build is sodium (Na).
To find the largest neutral atom that can be built, we need to determine the number of electrons, neutrons, and protons for each of the given elements: fluorine (F), sodium (Na), neon (Ne), and magnesium (Mg).
Fluorine (F):
- Atomic number = 9 (number of protons)
- Electrons = 9 (since neutral atoms have equal numbers of protons and electrons)
- Neutrons = 9 (since atomic mass - atomic number = number of neutrons)
Sodium (Na):
- Atomic number = 11
- Electrons = 11
- Neutrons = 12 (as the atomic mass of sodium is 23, so 23 - 11 = 12)
Neon (Ne):
- Atomic number = 10
- Electrons = 10
- Neutrons = 10 (as the atomic mass of neon is also 20, so 20 - 10 = 10)
Magnesium (Mg):
- Atomic number = 12
- Electrons = 12
- Neutrons = 12 (as the atomic mass of magnesium is 24, so 24 - 12 = 12)
From the given options, the largest neutral atom that can be built is magnesium (Mg), as it has the highest atomic number and atomic mass among the listed elements.