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Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions
Chapter 2, Problem 56

Fill in the gaps in the following table: Symbol 133Cs+ Protons 35 15 Neutrons 46 16 30 Electrons 18 20 Net charge 1- 5+

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1
insert step 1: Understand that the number of protons in an atom is equal to its atomic number, which also defines the element. For example, the symbol 133Cs+ indicates the element is Cesium (Cs), which has an atomic number of 55, meaning it has 55 protons.
insert step 2: Recognize that the number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to the number of protons. However, for ions, adjust the number of electrons based on the net charge. For example, a 1+ charge means one less electron than protons, and a 1- charge means one more electron than protons.
insert step 3: Calculate the number of neutrons by subtracting the atomic number (number of protons) from the mass number. For example, for 133Cs+, the mass number is 133, so the number of neutrons is 133 - 55.
insert step 4: Apply these principles to fill in the gaps for each element in the table. For example, if an element has 35 protons and a 1- charge, it has 36 electrons.
insert step 5: Verify each entry by checking that the sum of protons and neutrons equals the mass number, and that the difference between protons and electrons matches the net charge.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Atomic Structure

Atomic structure refers to the arrangement of protons, neutrons, and electrons within an atom. Protons and neutrons reside in the nucleus, while electrons orbit around it. The number of protons defines the element, while the number of neutrons can vary, leading to different isotopes. Understanding atomic structure is essential for filling in the gaps in the provided table.
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Ions and Charge

Ions are atoms or molecules that have gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electric charge. A positive charge indicates a loss of electrons (cations), while a negative charge indicates a gain (anions). The net charge of an ion is crucial for understanding its behavior in chemical reactions and interactions, as seen in the provided table with symbols like 133Cs+ and their respective charges.
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Isotopes

Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This difference in neutrons affects the atomic mass but not the chemical properties. Recognizing isotopes is important for accurately completing the table, as it helps in determining the number of neutrons and understanding the stability and behavior of the element in question.
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