Determine the overall charge on particles with the subatomic makeups given.

Question

Determine the overall charge on particles with the subatomic makeups given.

1. 13 protons, 14 neutrons, and 10 electrons
2. 8 protons, 10 neutrons, and 8 electrons
3. 15 protons, 18 neutrons, and 18 electrons
4. 3 protons, 3 neutrons, and 2 electrons

Answer 1

For your reference in the future to answer more problems like this use the net charge equation which includes the number of protons (p), number of electrons (e) and number of neutrons (n): p + e + n = charge. We know that protons have positive charge (+), electrons have negative charge (-), and neutrons have no charge (0). As result we can simplify the equation: (+p) + (-e) + (0) = charge ---> p - e = charge. So only protons and electrons will affect the net charge, not neutrons.

For problem (1) above we know that p = 13 and e = 10. So substituting our values in the charge equation we get: charge = (13) - (10) = 3. Therefore the net charge is +3. Looking on the periodic table we find that Al has 13 protons so the ion would be written as Al⁺³.

Answer 2

1). 13 protons (+) identifies the element as aluminum. Since there are 3 more protons (+) than there are electrons (-), the net charge = +3

2). 8 protons(+) and 8 electrons(-) has an overall charge of zero

3). 15 protons(+) and 8 electrons(-) has an overall charge of +7

4). 3 protons(+) and 2 electrons(-) has an overall charge of +1