Question

Determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons for each of the following:
Nickel-59




Phosphorus-31




Argon-40

Answer 1

To determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in each isotope, we need to identify the atomic number (number of protons) and the mass number (sum of protons and neutrons) for each element.

1. **Nickel-59 (Ni-59)**
- Atomic number of Nickel (Ni): 28 (this means it has 28 protons)
- Mass number of Nickel-59: 59
- Number of neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number = 59 - 28 = 31
- Number of electrons (for a neutral atom) = Number of protons = 28
- **Summary for Nickel-59:**
- Protons: 28
- Neutrons: 31
- Electrons: 28

2. **Phosphorus-31 (P-31)**
- Atomic number of Phosphorus (P): 15 (this means it has 15 protons)
- Mass number of Phosphorus-31: 31
- Number of neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number = 31 - 15 = 16
- Number of electrons (for a neutral atom) = Number of protons = 15
- **Summary for Phosphorus-31:**
- Protons: 15
- Neutrons: 16
- Electrons: 15

3. **Argon-40 (Ar-40)**
- Atomic number of Argon (Ar): 18 (this means it has 18 protons)
- Mass number of Argon-40: 40
- Number of neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number = 40 - 18 = 22
- Number of electrons (for a neutral atom) = Number of protons = 18
- **Summary for Argon-40:**
- Protons: 18
- Neutrons: 22
- Electrons: 18

### Final Summary:
- **Nickel-59:**
- Protons: 28
- Neutrons: 31
- Electrons: 28

- **Phosphorus-31:**
- Protons: 15
- Neutrons: 16
- Electrons: 15

- **Argon-40:**
- Protons: 18
- Neutrons: 22
- Electrons: 18