Multiple Choice
How many neutrons are in an atom of lithium with an atomic mass of 7?
2. Atoms & Elements
Isotopes
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How many neutrons does a nitrogen atom typically have if its atomic number is 7 and its most common isotope has a mass number of 14?
A
14
B
6
C
7
D
8
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of atomic number: The atomic number of an element, denoted as Z, represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. For nitrogen, the atomic number is 7, meaning it has 7 protons.
Learn about mass number: The mass number, denoted as A, is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. The most common isotope of nitrogen has a mass number of 14.
Use the formula to find the number of neutrons: The number of neutrons in an atom can be calculated using the formula: \( \text{Number of neutrons} = A - Z \), where A is the mass number and Z is the atomic number.
Substitute the values into the formula: For nitrogen, substitute A = 14 and Z = 7 into the formula: \( \text{Number of neutrons} = 14 - 7 \).
Interpret the result: After performing the subtraction, you will find the number of neutrons in the nitrogen atom's most common isotope.
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