Question

‘The number of neutrons in an atom is always equal to or higher than the number of protons present. Verify the statement.

Answer 1

• Generally for all of the elements, the number of neutrons in an atom is always equal to or higher than the number of protons present.
• eg:Cobalt-60, an isotope of cobalt has number of protons=27, number of neutrons=(60-27)=33.Hence the number of neutrons(33) > number of protons(27).
• But hydrogen is an exception here. In protium we have one proton and one electron, it has got zero neutrons.
• Therefore in protium(${}_1{}^1\mathrm{H}$), the number of protons is greater than the number of neutrons.

Thus the statement, ‘The number of neutrons in an atom is always equal to or higher than the number of protons present.' stands true with hydrogen as an exception.