Question

The phosphorus atom contains 15 electrons, however its mass is 31 times greater that of a hydrogen atom. How many protons and neutrons are there in its nucleus?

Plss, with the operation is urgent!!!!

Answer 1

we know that number of protons = number of electrons in a neutral atom

the phosphorus atom contains 15 electrons ⇒ the phosphorus atom contains 15 protons

we know that mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons

⇒ mass number of phosphorus is 31 and number of protons = 15

number of neutrons = 31 - 15 = 16

⇒ 15 protons and 16 neutrons are present in the nucleus of phosphorus atom