An isotope of manganese (Mn) has atomic number 25 and mass number 55. If the atom is neutral, how many protons, electrons, and neutrons does it have?

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Multiple Choice

An isotope of manganese (Mn) has atomic number 25 and mass number 55. If the atom is neutral, how many protons, electrons, and neutrons does it have?

Explanation:
In a neutral atom, the number of protons equals the number of electrons. The atomic number is the number of protons, so this manganese has 25 protons. The mass number is protons plus neutrons, so neutrons = 55 − 25 = 30. Since the atom is neutral, electrons also equal 25. Therefore, it has 25 protons, 25 electrons, and 30 neutrons.

In a neutral atom, the number of protons equals the number of electrons. The atomic number is the number of protons, so this manganese has 25 protons. The mass number is protons plus neutrons, so neutrons = 55 − 25 = 30. Since the atom is neutral, electrons also equal 25. Therefore, it has 25 protons, 25 electrons, and 30 neutrons.

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