The Correct Answer and Explanation is:, how many electrons are required to have a mass equivalent to one hydrogen atom?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Revised Explanation
Mass is a fundamental property of matter, and comparing the masses of subatomic particles provides insight into atomic structure. The hydrogen atom, the simplest and most abundant atom in the universe, consists of one proton and one electron. The proton resides in the nucleus and accounts for nearly all of the atom’s mass, whereas the electron, which orbits the nucleus, has a significantly smaller mass.
In this problem, we are asked to determine how many electrons would be needed to equal the mass of one hydrogen atom. The mass of a hydrogen atom is approximately 1.67×10−271.67 \times 10^{-27} kilograms, while the mass of a single electron is about 9.1×10−319.1 \times 10^{-31} kilograms. To find the equivalent number of electrons, we divide the hydrogen atom’s mass by the electron’s mass: 1.67×10−279.1×10−31=1.679.1×10(−27+31)≈0.1835×104=1835\frac{1.67 \times 10^{-27}}{9.1 \times 10^{-31}} = \frac{1.67}{9.1} \times 10^{(-27 + 31)} \approx 0.1835 \times 10^{4} = 1835
Thus, approximately 1835 electrons are needed to match the mass of a single hydrogen atom.
This comparison highlights the stark difference in mass between protons and electrons. In fact, the mass of a proton is about 1835 times greater than that of an electron. This large disparity is crucial in atomic theory, as it explains why nearly all the mass of an atom is concentrated in its nucleus. While electrons contribute very little to an atom’s mass, they play a pivotal role in determining the atom’s chemical behavior, including bonding and reactivity
