If only an element's atomic number and weight are provided, what other atomic information can be determined for a neutral atom? (1 point)

Question

the number of protons, electrons and neutrons
• only the valence electrons
only the number of protons and electrons
only the number of protons and neutrons

Answer 1

If only an element's atomic number and weight are provided, the other atomic information that can be determined for a neutral atom is the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons.

Here's why:

• The atomic number indicates the number of protons in the atom, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom.

• The atomic weight (or atomic mass) can be used to determine the number of neutrons if you know the atomic number. The number of neutrons can be calculated as follows:

  \[ \text{Number of neutrons} = \text{atomic weight (rounded to nearest whole number)} - \text{atomic number} \]

Thus, from the atomic number and atomic weight, you can find the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons for a neutral atom.