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Multiple Choice
How many neutrons are present in a typical lithium atom?
A
4
B
6
C
7
D
3
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the atomic number of lithium, which is 3. This number represents the number of protons in the nucleus of a lithium atom.
Determine the mass number of a typical lithium atom. Lithium commonly exists as the isotope lithium-7, which has a mass number of 7.
Recall that the mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. Use the formula: \( \text{Mass Number} = \text{Number of Protons} + \text{Number of Neutrons} \).
Substitute the known values into the formula: \( 7 = 3 + \text{Number of Neutrons} \).
Solve for the number of neutrons by subtracting the number of protons from the mass number: \( \text{Number of Neutrons} = 7 - 3 \).