Cobalt has a mass number of 59 and an atomic number of 27. A student wants to create a model of a cobalt atom. Which statement about the model is correct?

The model should show 32 protons and 59 neutrons.
The model should show 32 protons and 59 neutrons.

The model should show 27 protons and 27 neutrons.
The model should show 27 protons and 27 neutrons.

The model should show 27 protons and 32 neutrons.
The model should show 27 protons and 32 neutrons.

The model should show 59 protons and 27 neutrons.

The model should show 27 protons and 32 neutrons.

The correct statement is: The model should show 27 protons and 32 neutrons.

To determine the correct statement about the model of a cobalt atom, we need to understand the composition of an atom based on its atomic and mass numbers.

The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom. Since the atomic number of cobalt is 27, the model must show 27 protons.

The mass number represents the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom. To determine the number of neutrons, we subtract the atomic number from the mass number. In this case, the mass number is 59, and the atomic number is 27. Subtracting 27 from 59 gives us 32.

Therefore, the correct statement about the model is: The model should show 27 protons and 32 neutrons.