Which statement accurately describes the atoms of a specific element? *
An indium, In, atom contains 115 protons inside the nucleus and 49 neutrons outside the nucleus.
A scandium, Sc, atom contains 45 electrons outside the nucleus and 21 neutrons inside the nucleus.
An aluminum, Al, contains 27 electrons and 27 protons inside the nucleus.
A zinc, Zn, atom contains 30 protons inside the nucleus and 30 electrons outside the nucleus
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct statement is:
A zinc, Zn, atom contains 30 protons inside the nucleus and 30 electrons outside the nucleus.
Explanation:
Atoms consist of three primary subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. These particles are arranged in a specific way in the atom:
- Protons: These are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons in an atom is known as the atomic number, and it defines the element. For instance, zinc (Zn) has an atomic number of 30, meaning it has 30 protons in its nucleus.
- Electrons: These are negatively charged particles found outside the nucleus, typically arranged in electron shells or orbitals. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons to balance the charge. Hence, a zinc atom, which has 30 protons, will also have 30 electrons to ensure that the atom is electrically neutral.
- Neutrons: Neutrons are neutral particles found in the nucleus alongside protons. The number of neutrons in an atom is usually calculated by subtracting the atomic number (number of protons) from the atomic mass (which is the sum of protons and neutrons). For zinc, the most common isotope has an atomic mass of 65, so the number of neutrons is approximately 65 – 30 = 35 neutrons.
Why the other statements are incorrect:
- Indium (In): An indium atom contains 49 neutrons and 115 protons, but the number of protons (115) and neutrons (49) are both in the nucleus, not outside it. The statement “49 neutrons outside the nucleus” is inaccurate.
- Scandium (Sc): The statement says that scandium has 45 electrons outside the nucleus, but scandium has 21 protons, and a neutral scandium atom would have 21 electrons outside the nucleus. The mention of 45 electrons is incorrect.
- Aluminum (Al): Aluminum has 13 protons and 13 electrons. The statement about 27 protons and electrons is incorrect, as aluminum has an atomic number of 13. Therefore, the number of protons and electrons in an aluminum atom would both be 13, not 27.
Thus, the statement about zinc is the correct description of an atom’s structure, aligning with the number of protons and electrons being equal and located in the appropriate places within the atom.