During a mass spectrometry investigation, researchers identify an isotope of chromium with… — Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

During a mass spectrometry investigation, researchers identify an isotope of chromium with a mass number of $52$ and an atomic number of $24$ . How many neutrons are contained in the nucleus of this chromium atom?

A
$24$
$28$ Answer
C
$52$
D
$76$

Answer

28

neutrons

The mass number (

A = 52

) is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. The atomic number (

Z = 24

) indicates the number of protons. Subtracting the atomic number from the mass number (

52 - 24 = 28

) gives the total number of neutrons.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the given atomic parameters

Mass number (

A

) =

52

; Atomic number (

Z

) =

24

The mass number represents the sum of protons and neutrons, while the atomic number represents the number of protons.

Apply the neutron calculation formula:

\text{Neutrons} = A - Z

\text{Neutrons} = 52 - 24 = 28

Subtracting the number of protons from the total nucleon count isolates the number of neutrons.

Key Concept

Subatomic Particle Relationships in Atomic Structure

Estimated Time:45s

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