A neutral atom has an atomic number of 20 and a mass number of 41; how many protons, neutrons, and electrons are found within the atom?

A) 21 protons, 21 electrons, and 20 neutrons

B) 20 protons, 20 electrons, and 21 neutrons

C) 21 protons, 20 electrons, and 20 neutrons

D) 41 protons, 41 electrons, and 20 neutrons

Question

Chemistry

Abbigail Salas

29 June, 12:06

A neutral atom has an atomic number of 20 and a mass number of 41; how many protons, neutrons, and electrons are found within the atom?

A) 21 protons, 21 electrons, and 20 neutrons

B) 20 protons, 20 electrons, and 21 neutrons

C) 21 protons, 20 electrons, and 20 neutrons

D) 41 protons, 41 electrons, and 20 neutrons

+1

Answers (1)

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Amiyah Perkins · Answer 1

Each isotope has 19 protons and 19 electrons, but the number of neutrons vary. Potassium-39 has 20 neutrons, Potassium-40 has 21 neutrons and Potassium - 41 has 22 neutrons. Therefore, each isotope of an element will have a different mass number but the same atomic number.