An atom with 5 protons, 6 neutrons, and 5 electrons has an atomic mass of _____ amu. (Enter a whole number.)

3 answers

To find the atomic mass of the atom, you can add the number of protons and neutrons together, since the mass of an electron is negligible compared to that of protons and neutrons.

In this case:

  • Protons: 5
  • Neutrons: 6

Atomic mass = Number of protons + Number of neutrons = 5 + 6 = 11 amu.

Therefore, the atomic mass of the atom is 11 amu.

Are the electrons needed in the question?

No, the electrons are not needed to calculate the atomic mass of the atom. The atomic mass is determined primarily by the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, since electrons have a negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons.

In your original question, you mentioned 5 protons, 6 neutrons, and 5 electrons; however, only the protons and neutrons are relevant for calculating the atomic mass. Therefore, the atomic mass remains 11 amu, regardless of the number of electrons.