Question

How many of each subatomic particle does a stable Sodium (Na) atom have?





(1 point)
Responses

11 protons, 11 neutrons, and 12 electrons
11 protons, 11 neutrons, and 12 electrons

11 protons, 12 neutrons, and 11 electrons
11 protons, 12 neutrons, and 11 electrons

34 protons, 11 neutrons, 11 electrons
34 protons, 11 neutrons, 11 electrons

23 protons, 12 neutrons, and 23 electrons

Answer 1

A stable sodium (Na) atom has:

- 11 protons (since the atomic number of sodium is 11),
- 12 neutrons (the most common isotope of sodium, Sodium-23, has 23 total nucleons, which is protons plus neutrons, so 23 - 11 = 12),
- 11 electrons (in a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons).

Thus, the correct response is:

**11 protons, 12 neutrons, and 11 electrons.**