If an atom has a mass number of 23 which of the following is always true
What following?
If an atom has a mass number of 23, which of the following is always true?
To determine which statement is always true, we need to understand what the terms in the question mean.
The mass number of an atom refers to the total number of protons and neutrons in the atom's nucleus. It is denoted by the symbol "A."
Now, let's evaluate the given statements:
Statement 1: The atom contains 23 protons.
This statement is not always true because the number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number, not its mass number. Therefore, the number of protons in an atom can vary, even if the mass number is fixed.
Statement 2: The atom contains 23 neutrons.
This statement may or may not be true depending on the specific atom. The mass number represents the sum of protons and neutrons, so while it is possible for an atom to have 23 neutrons, it is not always the case.
Statement 3: The atom contains 23 electrons.
This statement is NOT always true. The number of electrons in an atom is determined by its atomic number, not its mass number. The atomic number represents the number of protons, which may or may not be equal to the mass number.
Given our analysis, none of the statements are always true when the mass number is 23.