A neutral atom of silicon contains 14 protons and 16 neutrons in its nucleus. What is the … — Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

A neutral atom of silicon contains $14$ protons and $16$ neutrons in its nucleus. What is the mass number of this silicon atom?

The mass number of the silicon atom is

30

The mass number (

A

) of an atom equals the total number of protons and neutrons located in its nucleus. For this silicon atom, adding

14

protons and

16

neutrons gives a mass number of

30

Identify the given subatomic particles in the nucleus

Protons =

14

, Neutrons =

16

The mass number depends entirely on the nucleons (protons and neutrons) residing in the nucleus.

Apply the mass number formula:

\text{Mass Number} = \text{Number of Protons} + \text{Number of Neutrons}

\text{Mass Number} = 14 + 16 = 30

Adding protons and neutrons gives the total nucleon count, which defines the mass number.

Calculation of atomic mass number from protons and neutrons

Estimated Time:45s

Question