Multiple Choice
An electrically neutral atom of copper (Cu) has atomic number 29. How many electrons are in a neutral copper atom?
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9. Electrons in Atoms and the Periodic Table
Electronic Structure: Number of Electrons
Multiple Choice
A neutral carbon atom has atomic number 6. How many electrons does a neutral carbon atom contain?
A
6
B
8
C
12
D
4
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the atomic number of an element represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element.
For a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons to balance the positive charge of the nucleus.
Given that the atomic number of carbon is 6, this means a carbon atom has 6 protons.
Since the carbon atom is neutral, it must have the same number of electrons as protons, which is 6.
Therefore, the number of electrons in a neutral carbon atom is equal to its atomic number, 6.
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