An atom has 28 protons, 32 neutrons, and 28 electrons. What is the name of this isotope?
A.
Nickel-32
B.
Nickel-60
C.
Germanium-56
D.
Germanium-60
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B. Nickel-60.
Here’s a detailed explanation:
To identify the isotope of an atom, we need to determine both its element and its mass number. The element is identified by its number of protons, while the mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons.
- Determine the Element:
- The number of protons in an atom defines the element. In this case, the atom has 28 protons. Looking up the periodic table, we find that the element with 28 protons is Nickel (Ni).
- Calculate the Mass Number:
- The mass number of an atom is the total number of protons and neutrons. For this atom, the number of protons is 28, and the number of neutrons is 32. Adding these together gives us:
[
\text{Mass Number} = \text{Protons} + \text{Neutrons} = 28 + 32 = 60
]
- Determine the Isotope Name:
- Isotopes of an element are denoted by the element’s name followed by the mass number. Since this atom is Nickel with a mass number of 60, it is referred to as Nickel-60.
- Electrons:
- The number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to the number of protons. Here, the atom has 28 electrons, which matches the number of protons, confirming that the atom is neutral.
In summary, Nickel (Ni) with 28 protons and 32 neutrons has a mass number of 60. Thus, this isotope is named Nickel-60, making option B the correct choice.