Question

An atom has mass number A and atomic number Z.

How many neutrons are present in its nucleus?

Answer 1

• Atomic number(Z)- The total number of protons in the nucleus of an atom gives us the atomic number of that atom.
• Mass number(A)- The number of protons and neutrons combine to give us the mass number of an atom.
• Neutrons are neutral subatomic particles present in the nucleus of an atom.
• Mass number= number of protons(atomic number) + number of neutrons.
• We get the number of neutrons by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number.

Hence, Number of neutrons will be Mass number(A) - Mass number(Z).