Using the periodic table and your knowledge of atomic structure. Cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) have almost identical atomic mass numbers. Comparing the typical nickel and cobalt atoms, which statement best describes the atoms?
A) Nickel has one more neutron.
B) Cobalt has one less proton.
C) Both atoms will have the same number of protons.
D) Both atoms will have the same number of neutrons.
Cobalt has one less proton
To compare the typical nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) atoms, we need to consider their positions in the periodic table and their atomic structures.
The atomic number of an element corresponds to the number of protons in its nucleus. Looking at the periodic table, we can see that nickel has an atomic number of 28, while cobalt has an atomic number of 27. Therefore, we can conclude that nickel has one more proton than cobalt.
On the other hand, the atomic mass number of an atom represents the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Given that both nickel and cobalt have almost identical atomic mass numbers, we can infer that both atoms will have the same number of protons and neutrons. So, the correct answer is option C) Both atoms will have the same number of protons.
To determine which statement best describes the atoms of cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni), we need to use the information provided about their atomic mass numbers. The atomic mass number represents the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.
Cobalt has an atomic mass number of around 59, while nickel has an atomic mass number of around 59 as well. This suggests that both elements have approximately the same number of protons and neutrons.
Therefore, we can conclude that the correct answer is:
C) Both atoms will have the same number of protons.
To arrive at this conclusion, you can use the periodic table to locate cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni). The atomic mass numbers of the elements are usually displayed beneath the element's symbol. By comparing these atomic mass numbers, you can determine that they are almost identical, indicating that both atoms have the same number of protons.
Ni
28 protons = atomic number
Co
27 protons = atomic number