An isotope of titanium has a mass number of 48 and contains 26 neutrons in its nucleus. Ho… — Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

An isotope of titanium has a mass number of $48$ and contains $26$ neutrons in its nucleus. How many electrons surround the nucleus of a neutral atom of this isotope?

A
$74$
$22$ Answer
C
$26$
D
$48$

Answer

A neutral atom of this titanium isotope has

22

electrons.

The mass number (

A = 48

) is the total count of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Subtracting the

26

neutrons from the mass number gives

22

protons (

48 - 26 = 22

). In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, meaning there are

22

electrons orbiting the nucleus.

Step-by-Step Solution

Calculate the number of protons in the nucleus using the mass number and neutron count

Number of protons

= 48 - 26 = 22

The mass number (

A

) equals the sum of protons (

Z

) and neutrons (

N

), so

Z = A - N

Determine the number of electrons in the electrically neutral atom

Number of electrons

= 22

In any neutral atom, the number of negatively charged electrons equals the number of positively charged protons.

Key Concept

Relationship between mass number, subatomic particles, and atomic neutrality

Estimated Time:45s

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