An atom of sodium-23 (Na-23) has a net charge of +1. Identify the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in the atom. Then, explain how you determined the number of each type of particle. Use the periodic table to help you.
To determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom of sodium-23 (Na-23), we need to refer to the periodic table.
The atomic number on the periodic table corresponds to the number of protons in an atom. Sodium has an atomic number of 11, indicating that it has 11 protons. Since the atom has a net charge of +1, it means the atom has one more proton than electrons. Therefore, there are 11 protons in the atom.
The atomic mass on the periodic table represents the sum of protons and neutrons in an atom. Sodium-23 indicates that the atom has an atomic mass of 23. Since we know the number of protons (11), we can subtract it from the atomic mass to determine the number of neutrons. 23 - 11 = 12. Thus, the sodium-23 atom contains 12 neutrons.
Since we know the atom has a net charge of +1, and we know that it has 11 protons (which have a positive charge), we can conclude that the atom has 10 electrons. This is because the positive charge from the protons is canceled out by the negative charge from the 10 electrons, resulting in an overall net charge of +1.
To summarize:
- Number of protons: 11
- Number of neutrons: 12
- Number of electrons: 10