Question

an atom has a mass number of 59 and contains 32 neutrons in its nucleus. What element is it ?

Answer 1

Praseodymium contains 59...

Answer 2

The element is cobalt (Co).

• The mass number refers to the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.
• Since the mass number of the given element is 59, number of protons + number of neutrons = 59
• But it has been given in the question that the element has 32 neutrons.
• Hence, the number of protons = 59 - 32 = 27
• We know that the number of protons in the element signifies the atomic number of the element.
• Hence, it can be implied that the atomic number of the given element is 27. However, according to the periodic table, cobalt (Co) is the element with the atomic number 27
• So our required element is cobalt.

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