3

Question

Students were studying the first 20 elements on the periodic table. One
student found a diagram of a silicon nucleus. In the diagram the large
circle represents the nucleus. The rest of the particles are represented as
shown in the key.
Nucleus of a Silicon Atom (them image shows that inside of the nucleus there is 14 protons, 14neutrons, and 0 electrons)
Key
Proton
Neutron
Electron
Based on the diagram and the periodic table, which three statements
correctly describe a silicon atom?
A. Electrons are not present in the nucleus of a silicon atom.
B. There are 14 protons in the nucleus of a silicon atom.
C. Silicon atoms have no electrons.
D. A silicon atom should have 16 protons.
E. There are equal numbers of protons and neutrons in a silicon atom with a
mass number of 28.

Answer 1

Based on the information provided about the silicon atom and its corresponding diagram, the three correct statements that describe a silicon atom are:

A. Electrons are not present in the nucleus of a silicon atom.
(This statement is true; electrons orbit around the nucleus rather than being part of it.)

B. There are 14 protons in the nucleus of a silicon atom.
(This statement is true; silicon has an atomic number of 14, which means it has 14 protons.)

E. There are equal numbers of protons and neutrons in a silicon atom with a mass number of 28.
(This statement is true; a silicon atom has 14 neutrons and 14 protons, giving it a mass number of 28.)

The other statements:

C. Silicon atoms have no electrons.
(This statement is false; silicon has electrons, but they are not included in the nucleus.)

D. A silicon atom should have 16 protons.
(This statement is false; silicon has 14 protons.)

Thus, the correct statements are A, B, and E.