Question

A student wants to draw a model of an atom. Which statement describes how to find the number of neutrons to include in the model

Answer 1

To find the number of neutrons to include in a model of an atom, you can use the following method:

1. **Identify the Atomic Number**: The atomic number of an element, which is located on the periodic table, represents the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom.

2. **Find the Atomic Mass**: The atomic mass (or atomic weight) of the element, also found on the periodic table, is typically a decimal number that represents the average mass of the atom's isotopes. This number is roughly equal to the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

3. **Calculate Neutrons**: To find the number of neutrons, you can use the formula:
\[
\text{Number of Neutrons} = \text{Atomic Mass (rounded to nearest whole number)} - \text{Atomic Number}
\]

4. **Round Appropriately**: Remember that since atomic mass is often a decimal, you should round it to the nearest whole number before performing the subtraction.

Using this method will help the student accurately represent the number of neutrons in their atom model.