The total numbers of neutrons, protons, and electrons in 138Ba²⁺ are ________. A) 138 neutrons, 56 protons, 54 electrons B) 82 neutrons, 56 protons, 54 electrons C) 56 neutrons, 82 protons, 80 electrons D) 82 neutrons, 56 protons, 58 electrons E) 82 neutrons, 82 protons, 82 electrons

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

- The atomic symbol for barium is Ba and its atomic number (number of protons) is 56. 
- The 138 in the beginning of the compound indicates that the mass number (number of protons + neutrons) is 138. 
- To find the number of neutrons, we subtract the atomic number from the mass number: 138 - 56 = 82. 
- The S in the formula represents sulfur with an atomic number of 16, and the P represents phosphorus with an atomic number of 15. 
- The subscripts 1 and 0 indicate the number of atoms of each element: there is one sulfur atom and one phosphorus atom. 
- The subscripts on the right side of the formula indicate two sulfur atoms and one phosphorus atom.
- To find the total number of electrons, we need to consider the charge of the ions. Sulfur has a charge of -2, and phosphorus has a charge of +3. 
- Adding up the charges on the left side of the formula, we get -2 - 3 = -5. 
- To balance the charge, we need two sodium ions (each with a charge of +1) on the left side of the equation, giving a total charge of +2. 
- Therefore, there are two sodium ions (with a total of 2 electrons) and one phosphorus ion (with a total of 8 electrons) for a total of 10 electrons on the right side of the formula. 
- Adding the electrons on the left side of the formula (54) to those on the right side (10), we get a total of 64 electrons in the compound. 
- Therefore, the total numbers of neutrons, protons, and electrons are 82 neutrons, 56 protons, and 64 electrons.

The Total Numbers of Neutrons, Protons, and Electrons in 138Ba2+

The Total Numbers of Neutrons, Protons, and Electrons in 138Ba²⁺