Question

a specific oxygen atom has 8 protons and 10 neutrons. if this is a neutral atom, how many electrons does the atom have?
a. 6
b. 9
c. 4
d. 8

Explanation:

Step1: Recall atomic - charge neutrality principle

In a neutral atom, the number of protons equals the number of electrons.

Step2: Identify the number of protons

The oxygen atom has 8 protons.

Step3: Determine the number of electrons

Since the number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to the number of protons, the number of electrons is 8.

Answer:

D. 8