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When you know the number of protons in a neutral atom, you can determine:
a) the number of neutrons in the neutral atom
b) the number of electrons in the neutral atom
d) two of the above
Let's break it down:
1. The number of protons in an atom determines the element it is. Each element has a unique number of protons in its nucleus. For example, hydrogen always has 1 proton, oxygen has 8 protons, and so on.
2. Neutrons are particles found in the nucleus of an atom along with protons. The number of neutrons can vary for a given element, forming isotopes. To find the number of neutrons, you need to know the atomic mass of the element, which is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
3. Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. This balance of positive protons and negative electrons makes the atom electrically neutral.
So, by knowing the number of protons in a neutral atom, you can deduce the number of neutrons and electrons, hence the correct answers are a) the number of neutrons in the neutral atom and b) the number of electrons in the neutral atom.
