Multiple Choice
How many electrons are in a neutral silicon (Si) atom?
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9. Electrons in Atoms and the Periodic Table
Electronic Structure: Number of Electrons
Multiple Choice
Which neutral atom is isoelectronic with (i.e., has the same number of electrons)?
A
Neon (Ne)
B
Nitrogen (N)
C
Oxygen (O)
D
Carbon (C)
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the term 'isoelectronic' means having the same number of electrons. So, we need to find a neutral atom with the same number of electrons as the given ion \(\mathrm{O}^{2+}\).
Determine the number of electrons in a neutral oxygen atom. Oxygen has an atomic number of 8, which means it has 8 protons and, in its neutral state, 8 electrons.
Since the ion is \(\mathrm{O}^{2+}\), it has lost 2 electrons compared to the neutral oxygen atom. Calculate the number of electrons in \(\mathrm{O}^{2+}\) by subtracting 2 from 8:
\[8 - 2 = 6\]
Now, identify which neutral atom has 6 electrons. The atomic number corresponds to the number of electrons in a neutral atom, so look for the element with atomic number 6, which is Carbon (C). Therefore, Carbon is isoelectronic with \(\mathrm{O}^{2+}\).
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