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On the home screen, select “Atom.” Using as many electrons, neutrons, and protons and possible, what is the largest neutral atom you can build?

(1 point)
Responses

neon (Ne)
neon (Ne)

sodium (Na)
sodium (Na)

fluorine (F)
fluorine (F)

magnesium (Mg)

1 answer

The largest neutral atom you can build from the options given (neon, sodium, fluorine, magnesium) is sodium (Na).

Here's why:

  1. Neon (Ne) has 10 protons, 10 electrons, and typically 10 neutrons, making it the smallest of the options.
  2. Fluorine (F) has 9 protons, 9 electrons, and typically 10 neutrons, which is smaller than sodium.
  3. Magnesium (Mg) has 12 protons, 12 electrons, and typically 12 neutrons.
  4. Sodium (Na) has 11 protons, 11 electrons, and typically 12 neutrons.

Among these, magnesium has the highest number of protons, electrons, and neutrons, making it the largest neutral atom from the listed options. However, if "largest" refers to size in physical terms and these options pertain to the number of protons/electrons/neutrons, magnesium (Mg) would be the correct answer.

Thus, the answer should be: magnesium (Mg).