How do you know the amount of protons, nuetrons and electrons in the isotope of an element?

Question

sasquat · Answer

Well an isotope is a form of an element that has a different amount of neutrons so for ex. Carbon 14 vs. Carbon 12. In order to find the protons, neutrons, and electrons in an isotope all you have to do is look at the periodic table's atomic number (protons), and atomic mass for the element. Then you subtract the atomic mass and the mass of the isotope together to get the overall mass of the isotope. You do this since the atomic mass consists of the protons and neutrons. Electrons are the same as the atomic number (protons) Hope this helped :)

photon336 · Answer

@brownleanna1223 take a look at this. 

every element is neutral on the periodic table. that means that number of protons, positively charged equal the number of neutrons negatively charged. that's what we call, atomic number. that's written at the bottom.

X = symbol for any element 

$$X_{atomic number}$$

now protons and neutrons are in the nucleus. and the mass number written on top is the number of protons + neutrons in our element.  

$$X^{mass number}$$

usually you subtract the atomic number from the mass number to figure out the number of neutrons.



Now question to you here's an isotope of hydrogen can you find the number of protons neutrons and electrons. also tell me what the mass number and atomic numbers are.

$$H _{1}^{3}$$

brownleanna1223 · Answer

thank you @sasquat and @Photon336