Question

question 2. consider the nuclear notation below. 23 11 na what is the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in this sodium atom? o 23 protons, 11 neutrons, 12 electrons. o 11 protons, 11 neutrons, 11 electrons. o 12 protons, 12 neutrons, 12 electrons. o 11 protons, 12 neutrons, 11 electrons.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall atomic number concept

The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons. For sodium (Na), the atomic number is 11, so the number of protons is 11.

Step2: Recall mass - number formula

The mass number (A) is the sum of protons and neutrons. For the given sodium atom with mass - number 23, if the number of protons (p) is 11, then the number of neutrons (n) is $n=A - p=23 - 11 = 12$.

Step3: Recall electron - proton relationship in neutral atoms

In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. Since sodium is neutral here, the number of electrons is 11.

Answer:

11 protons, 12 neutrons, 11 electrons