QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
The atomic number of potassium is 19, and the mass number is 39. How many protons, neutrons, and electrons are in an atom of potassium?
12 months agoReport content
Answer
Full Solution Locked
Sign in to view the complete step-by-step solution and unlock all study resources.
Step 1:I'll solve this problem step by step, following the specified LaTeX formatting guidelines:
Step 2:: Identify the Atomic Number
\text{Number of protons} = 19
The atomic number tells us the number of protons in an atom. For potassium, the atomic number is 19.
Step 3:: Determine the Number of Electrons
\text{Number of electrons} = 19
In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons.
Step 4:: Calculate the Number of Neutrons
\text{Number of neutrons} = 39 - 19 = 20
The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons. We can find neutrons by subtracting protons from the mass number.
Final Answer
- Protons: 19 - Neutrons: 20 - Electrons: 19 This breakdown shows the complete composition of a neutral potassium- 39 atom, with each particle count derived from the given atomic and mass numbers.
Need Help with Homework?
Stuck on a difficult problem? We've got you covered:
- Post your question or upload an image
- Get instant step-by-step solutions
- Learn from our AI and community of students