Asked by Barry Vacker

1. How many neutrons are in an atom of potassium?

I really only want to know how to find the number of neutrons in an atom because that would help me a lot for the following questions.
Answered by DrBob222
In order to work this you must know WHICH K atom; ie. is it K40 or K41 or one of the other isotopes.
#protons + # neutrons = mass number

The # protons is the atomic number from the periodic table. The mass number of the mass number of K; i.e.,K40 or which ever isotope. The number of neutrons is the difference between the mass number and the atomic number.
For example,C-13.
Atomic number is 6 from the periodic table.
Mass number is 13 so
6+#neutrons = 13
#neutrons = 7
Answered by -_-
Yeah, 7
Answered by Damon
In any isotope of K every nucleus has 19 Protons
The most common isotope has atomic mass of 39
so
39 - 19 = 20 neutrons

However watch out because K also has isotopes with mass of 40 and 41
so there could be 21 or 22 neutrons
I suspect that your teacher just wants the common isotope andswer though.
Answered by Damon
Remember Dr Bob did Carbon as an example.
Answered by Barry Vacker
Thank you everyone! :)
Answered by Barry Vacker
Yeah, my teacher wants the one with 39 for the atomic mass. Time for 19 more questions :(
Answered by Damon
You are welcome.
Answered by 🥀🦋🏀BhadBhiddi🏀🦋🥀
1:a
2:a
3:d
4:c
5:a
6:b
7:b
8:d
9:b
10:a
11:a
I SWEAR ITS RIGHT NO JOKE
THANKS!!!
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