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Science
Quarter 3 – Module 6:
The Number of Protons,
Neutrons and Electrons
Science – Grade 8
Quarter 3 – Module 6: The Number of Protons, Electrons and Neutrons
First Edition, 2020

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Science
Quarter 3 – Module 6:
The Number of Protons,
Electrons and Neutrons
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to
use this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress
while allowing them to manage their own learning at home.
Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as
they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own
learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different
activities in the module.
As you go through the different activities of this module be
reminded of the following:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on
any part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in
answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let Us Try before moving on to the other
activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking
your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this
module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always
bear in mind that you are not alone. We hope that through this
material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep
understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 Let Us Learn

A wonderful day to you, young scientist! In this module, you will further
learn more concepts about an atom. You shall explore how to determine the
quantity of each sub-particles.

Specifically, you are going to:

 determine the number of neutrons from the mass number; and
 identify the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in a
particular atom.

Let Us Try!

Choose the best answer and write this on a separate paper.

1. A neutral atom has an atomic number of 5. How many protons does

it have?
A. 1 C. 5
B. 3 D. 7

2. A has 10 protons. How many electrons does it have?

A. 5 C. 15
B. 10 D. 20

3. What do you call to the sum of the number of protons and neutrons?
A. Atomic Number C. Atomic Charge
B. Mass Number D. Nucleons

4. What do you call to the number of protons and it gives the atom its
own identity?
A. Atomic Number C. Atomic Weight
B. Atomic Mass D. Atomic Charge

5. What do you call to the difference between the atomic mass and
atomic number?
A. Number of Protons C. Number of Neutrons
B. Number of Electrons D. Number of Atoms

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 Let Us Study

From the previous lesson, you have learned that an atom is a building
block of all matter comprised of three (3) subatomic particles known as
protons, neutrons, and electrons. They have their respective charges, mass,
and location. Please look at the table below to help you recall these sub-
particles' important information:

Subatomic Actual Mass

Symbol Charge Location
Particle (g)
At the
Proton p+ + 1.67 X 10 -24
nucleus
At the
Neutron n0 0 1.67 X 10 -24
nucleus
Outside
Electron e- - 9.11 X 10 -28 the
nucleus

Upon learning this essential information, I know you want to know

more and further explore atom. Have you ever wondered how many numbers
of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an element?

Yes, you heard it right “element” is made up of atom. I think you have
an idea where you can find the elements! In the Periodic Table of Elements!
All of its information is in the periodic table. It is needed to determine the
number of sub-particles in an atom.

But before that, you must learn the following terms that you will
encounter.

Atomic Number

The atomic number is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus.

It is unique for each atom of an element. Its shorthand symbol is Z.

Mass Number

The atomic number the sum of the number of protons and neutrons of
an atom. Its shorthand symbol is A.

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Take a look on the illustration below:

Mass Number A
Atomic Number Z X Element

Figure 1 The Symbol Representation of Mass Number & Atomic Number

Determination of the Number of Neutrons from the Mass Number

Atomic number and mass number can be easily found in our periodic
table of elements. So, don’t forget to secure one! Take your time to explore
and get familiar with all those elements.

In determining the number of neutrons, you just simply get the

difference between the mass number (A) and the atomic number (Z).

The formula is:

# of Neutrons = Mass number – Atomic Number

Here are simple steps in determining the number of neutrons:

STEP 1. Find the element in the periodic table and get the
mass number and atomic number.

STEP 2. Plug-in the values in the Symbol Representation.

STEP 3. Operate by subtracting the Atomic Number from Mass

Number using the formula.

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EXAMPLE #1: Identify the number of neutrons of a chlorine atom.

STEP 1. Find chlorine in your periodic table and get its mass number
and atomic number.
Given:
Atomic Number = 17
Mass Number = 35.45 or round off to 35

35
STEP 2. Plug-in the values in the symbol representation:
17 Cl
STEP 3. Operate by subtracting the values using the formula

Number of Neutrons = Mass Number - Atomic

Number Number of Neutrons = 3517

Number of Neutrons of Chlourine = 18

40
EXAMPLE #2: Find the number of neutrons of
18 Ar
Note: In this example, the atomic number eighteen (18) is given
with the mass number forty (40) in the symbol represenation.
So, all you have to do is go directly to STEP 3.

Number of Neutrons = Mass Number - Atomic

Number Number of Neutrons = 4018

Number of Neutrons of Argon = 22

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Determination of the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons

To determine the number of the remaining sub-atomic particles. Rules

must be followed to identify the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

RULE 1. The number of protons is equal to its atomic number

(Z).
RULE 2. In a neutral atom (no charge), the number of electrons
is equal to the number of protons.
RULE 3. The mass number (A) is equal to the sum of the
number of protons and neutrons.
RULE 4. The number of neutrons is equal to the difference of
Mass Number (A) and Atomic Number (Z).

Here are the simple steps in determining the number of neutrons:

STEP 1. Find the element in your periodic table and get its
mass number and atomic number.

STEP 2. Plug-in the values in our symbol representation

STEP 3. Operate by using our set of rules.

EXAMPLE #1. Find the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons of

Aluminum?

STEP 1. Find aluminum in the periodic table and get its mass number
and atomic number.
Given:
Atomic Number = 13
Mass Number = 26.982 is rounded off to 27

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 STEP 2. Plug-in the values in our symbol representation

27
13 Al
STEP 3. Operate by using our set of rules.

Solutions:
(Apply RULE # 1)
No. of Protons = Atomic Number

No. of Protons = 13

(Apply RULE # 2)
No. of Electrons = No. of Protons

No. of Electrons = 13

(Apply RULE # 4)
No of Neutrons = Mass No. - Atomic
No. No. of Neutrons = 27 -
13

No. of Neutrons = 14

 Therefore, Aluminum has 13 protons, 14 neutrons, and

13 electrons.

EXAMPLE #2. Determine the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons

of this element 197
79 Au

Note: In this particular problem, the atomic number seventy-nine

(79) is given together with mass number one hundred ninety-
seven (197) in the symbol representation. So all you have to do
is go directly to STEP 3.

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 STEP 3. Operate by using our set of rules.

Solutions:
(Apply RULE # 1)
No. of Protons = Atomic Number

No. of Protons = 79

(Apply RULE # 2)
No. of Electrons = No. of Protons

No. of Electrons = 79

(Apply RULE # 4)
No of Neutrons = Mass No. - Atomic
No. No. of Neutrons = 197 -
79

No. of Neutrons = 118

 Therefore, Gold has 79 protons, 118 neutrons, and 79

electrons.

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 Let Us Practice

Activity 1: Find Me, I Don't Take Sides, I am Neutron!

Direction: Find the number of neutrons of the following elements from the
table below. Write your answers on the blank provided.

1. Nickel
Atomic number = 28
Mass Number = 59
Number of Neutrons =

2. Phosphorus
Atomic Number = 15
Mass Number = 31
Number of Neutrons =

3. Titanium
Atomic Number = 22
Mass Number = 48
Number of Protons =

4. Xenon
Atomic Number = 54
Mass Number =
131 Number of Neutrons
=

5. Cesium
Atomic Number = 55
Mass Number =
133 Number of Neutrons
=

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 Let Us Practice More

Activity 2: You complete me, Atom!

Direction: Fill-in the missing information to complete the data on the table
below.

Atomic Mass
No. of No. of No. of
Element Symbol Number Number
Protons Neutrons Electrons
(Z) (A)

1 Chlorine Cl 17 18 35

2 Iron Fe 26 30 26

3 Palladium Pd 46 106 46

4 Platinum Pt 78 117 195

5 Radium Ra 88 88 226

6 Uranium U 92 146 92

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 Let Us Remember

 In determining the number of neutrons in an atom, get the difference

between the mass number (A) and the atomic number (Z).
 In determining the numbers of protons, electrons and neutrons, the
following rules must be followed:
1. The number of protons is equal to its atomic number (Z).
2. In a neutral atom (no charge), the number of electrons is equal to
the number of protons.
3. The mass number (A) is equal to the sum of the number of
protons and neutrons.
4. The number of neutrons is equal to the difference of Mass Number
(A) and Atomic Number (Z).

Let Us Assess

Direction: Read and understand the questions carefully. Choose the best
answer in the given choices and write it on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What number is equal to the atomic number?

A. Mass Number C. Number Neutrons
B. Number of Protons D. Atomic Charge Number

2. Manganese is element 25 in the periodic table with a mass number of

55. How many neutrons are there in an atom?
A. 5 C. 20
B. 10 D. 30

3. Selenium has 34 protons and 45 neutrons. What is the Mass

Number?
A. 75 C. 79
B. 85 D. 109

4. Where does the mass of an atom is most probably concentrated?

A. Inside the nucleus C. Neither inside of A & B
B. Outside the nucleus D. Cannot be determined

5. Why atomic number is unique?

A. The atomic number is can be shared.
B. The atomic number gives identity to every atom.
C. The atomic number is equal to the number of protons.
D. The atomic number is equal to the number of electrons

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6. The neutral Fluorine atom has 9 protons. What is the number of its
electrons?
A. 9 C. 28
B. 19 D. 10

7. What do you call to the difference between the mass number and the
atomic number?
A. Nucleons C. Number of Neutrons
B. Mass Number D. Atomic Number

8. What do you call to the sum of the number of protons and the
number of neutrons?
A. Atomic Number C. Atomic Charge
B. Mass Number D. Size of the Atom

9. Hydrogen is an element with an atomic number of 1 and a mass

number of 1 also. How many neutrons are there in its nucleus?
A. 2 C. 1
B. 0 D. 3

10. Zirconium has 28 electrons in its nucleus. How many electrons are
there outside of its nucleus?
A. 59 C. 82
B. 95 D. 28

11. Where can you find the protons and neutrons?

A. Outside the Atom C. Outside the Nucleus
B. Cannot be determined D. At the Nucleus

12. Chlorine is a very common element. How would you compute the
number of electrons if it has an atomic number of 17 and a mass
number of 35?
A. Get the sum of 17 and 35
B. Get the difference between 35 and 17
C. The Number of Electrons is the same as the Atomic Number
D. Cannot be determined

13. Protons and neutrons are collectively known as nucleons. Where can
you find them?
A. Outside the atom C. Inside the nucleus
B. Inside the atom D. Outside the nucleus

14. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of

protons. Why is this so?
A. For stability of the atom C. To charge the atom

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 B. To make the atom neutral D. To preserve the atom

15. How many electrons are there in an atom having 10 Protons?

A. 5 C. 15
B. 10 D. 20

Let Us Enhance
Activity 3: DIY…. Do It Yourself!

Direction: Write the symbol representation for each element below.

Determine the number of electrons and nucleus. Write your answer in box
provided.

A
Z
X
Where: X - represents the atom or
element Z - represents the mass
number
A - represents the atomic number

[Link] (S) [Link] (I)

Atomic No. = 16 Atomic No. = 53
Mass No. = 32 Mass No. = 127
Nucleus = Nucleus =
Electrons = Electrons =

[Link] (Na)
Atomic No. = 11
Mass No. = 23
Nucleus =
Electrons =

[Link] (Zn) [Link] (Hg)

Atomic No. = 30 Atomic No. = 80
Mass No. = 65 Mass No. = 201
Nucleus = Nucleus =
Electrons = Electrons =

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 Let Us Reflect

Atoms are the basic units of matter and defining the structure of
elements. Meaning, all we see, feel, and touch, living and non-living, are
composed of atoms. We cannot see them and can't appreciate them. They
are essential to our existence because our body is composed of complex
atoms. The Bible says that man was formed from the dust of the ground
and is heavily composed of elements.
There is a need to study and understand each of their
characteristics and behavior. They are part of our physical being.
Understanding them led the scientists to discover and invent many things
around us that made our life easy and comfortable.
Atoms are tiny and insignificant particles to our naked eye. They
even triggered the universe's existence.

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