Textbook Question
What is the total number of orbitals in the third shell? The fourth shell?
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9. Electrons in Atoms and the Periodic Table
Electronic Structure: Number of Electrons
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
How many electrons are in a neutral potassium atom?
A
18
B
19
C
20
D
39
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that in a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons because the positive and negative charges balance each other out.
Identify the atomic number of potassium (K) from the periodic table, which represents the number of protons in the nucleus of a potassium atom.
Note that the atomic number of potassium is 19, meaning it has 19 protons.
Since the potassium atom is neutral, it must have the same number of electrons as protons to balance the charge.
Therefore, the number of electrons in a neutral potassium atom is equal to its atomic number, which is 19.
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