Question

How can you use the periodic table to find the number of neutrons in one atom of an element?


The number of neutrons is equal to the number of electrons.

The number of neutrons is equal to the atomic number of the element.

The number of neutrons is equal to the atomic weight of the element.

The number of neutrons is equal to the atomic weight minus the number of protons.

Answer 1

You can find the number of neutrons in an element by subtracting the number of protons (or the atomic number) from the atomic weight. This is because the protons plus the neutrons are what make up the atomic weight. So, the number of neutrons is equal to the atomic weight minus the number of protons.