Calculate the number of electrons, protons and neutrons in the following species.
Calculate the number of electrons, protons and neutrons in the following species. (i) Phosphorus atom (ii) Phosphide ion (P3-) (iii) Magnesium ion (Mg2+)
Mass number : P = 31, Mg = 24
Atomic numbers : P = 15, Mg = 12
1 Answers
(i) Phosphorus atom
Number of electrons = Atomic number = 15
Number of protons = Atomic number = 15
Number of neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number = 31 - 15 = 13.
(ii) Phosphide ion (P3-).
Phosphide ion (P3-) = Phosphorus atom + 3 electrons
P3- = P + 3e-
Thus, phosphide ion has same number of protons and neutrons as phosphorus atom but has three electrons more.
Number of electrons = 15 + 3 = 18
Number of protons = 15
Number of neutrons = 31 - 15 = 16
(iii) Magnesium ion (Mg2+)
Mg2+ ion is formed by the loss of two electrons by Mg atom. Therefore, it has two electrons less than the number of electrons is Mg atom.
Number of electrons = 12 - 2 = 10
Number of protons = 12
Number of neutrons = (24 - 12) = 12