CALCULATING NUMBERS OF
PROTONS, ELECTRONS AND
NEUTRONS
How many protons,
electrons, and neutrons
are in an atom?
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Step 1
Use your periodic
table to find an
element
[Link]
Step 2
The number of Protons (+ charge)
The atomic number = # protons
Kr has 36 protons
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Step 3
The number of Electrons (- charge)
Remember atoms have no overall charge.
Atoms must have an equal # of protons and
electrons
#protons=#electrons
Kr has 36 electrons
Step 4
The number of Neutrons (no charge)
Mass # (atomic weight rounded to nearest
whole #)
Neutrons = Mass # - Protons
Neutrons = 84 – 36
Neutrons = 48
Summary
Number of Protons = Atomic #
Number of Electrons = Protons
Number of Neutrons = Mass # -
Protons
Problems
1. Find the protons (p+), electrons
(e-), neutrons (n) of Oxygen
2. Find the p+, e-, n of Xenon (Xe)
3. Find the p+, e-, n of Zirconium (Zr)
Oxygen (O)
p+, e-, n
Number of Protons = Atomic #
Number of Electrons = Protons
Number of Neutrons = Mass # - Protons
Protons = 8
Electrons = 8
Neutrons = 16-8 = 8
Xenon (Xe)
p+, e-, n
Number of Protons = Atomic #
Number of Electrons = Protons
Number of Neutrons = Mass # - Protons
Protons = 54
Electrons = 54
Neutrons = 131-54 = 77
Zirconium (Zr)
p+, e-, n
Number of Protons = Atomic #
Number of Electrons = Protons
Number of Neutrons = Mass # - Protons
Protons = 40
Electrons = 40
Neutrons = 91-40 = 51
DEVELOPMENT
ATOMIC #_____________
ATOMIC Mass:__________
# of Protons: __________
# of Electrons: _________
# of Neutrons: _________
ATOMIC #_____________
ATOMIC Mass:__________
# of Protons: __________
# of Electrons: _________
# of Neutrons: _________
ATOMIC #_____________
ATOMIC Mass:__________
# of Protons: __________
# of Electrons: _________
# of Neutrons: _________
ATOMIC #_____________
ATOMIC Mass:__________
# of Protons: __________
# of Electrons: _________
# of Neutrons: _________
ATOMIC #_____________
ATOMIC Mass:__________
# of Protons: __________
# of Electrons: _________
# of Neutrons: _________