Question

we can subtract the number of blank to calculate the number of neutrons
found in the nucleus of an atom

Answer 1

To calculate the number of neutrons in the nucleus of an atom, you can use the formula:

\[
\text{Number of Neutrons} = \text{Mass Number} - \text{Atomic Number}
\]

Here’s a brief explanation of these terms:

- **Mass Number**: This is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. It is often represented as the larger number in an element's notation (e.g., for carbon-12, the mass number is 12).

- **Atomic Number**: This is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. It defines the element and is always a whole number (e.g., carbon has an atomic number of 6, meaning it has 6 protons).

In your statement, "we can subtract the number of blank to calculate the number of neutrons," it sounds like you're suggesting that by subtracting a certain quantity, we get the neutrons. You would fill in the "blank" with "atomic number" to get the correct statement:

- You can subtract the atomic number from the mass number to find the number of neutrons.

Let’s look at an example:

For Carbon (C):
- Atomic Number = 6 (6 protons)
- Mass Number = 12 (6 protons + 6 neutrons)
- Number of Neutrons = 12 - 6 = 6 neutrons

This process works for all isotopes of an element as well. If you have any further questions or topics related to atomic structure, feel free to ask!