Question

Four \(\mathrm{Fe}^{2+}\) ions are key components of hemoglobin, the protein that transports oxygen in the blood. Assuming that these ions are \(^{53} \mathrm{Fe}^{2+},\) how many protons and neutrons are present in each nucleus, and how many electrons are present in each ion?

Short answer

In each \(^{53}Fe^{2+}\) ion, there are 26 protons, 27 neutrons, and 24 electrons.

Step-by-step solution

Find the atomic number of Iron (Fe)

Refer to the periodic table to find the atomic number (Z) of the element iron (Fe). The atomic number of iron is 26, which represents the number of protons in its nucleus.

Determine the number of neutrons

We are given that these ions are ²⁵³Fe²⁺. The 53 denotes the mass number (A), which is the sum of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus. To find the number of neutrons, subtract the number of protons (Z) from the mass number (A): Number of Neutrons = Mass number (A) - Atomic number (Z) Number of Neutrons = 53 - 26 Number of Neutrons = 27 There are 27 neutrons in the nucleus of each ²⁵³Fe²⁺ ion.

Determine the number of electrons in each Fe²⁺ ion

Since the ions are Fe²⁺, it means that they have lost two electrons, and thus have a net charge of +2. To find the number of electrons present in each ion, subtract the charge (+2) from the number of protons (Z): Number of Electrons = Number of Protons (Z) - Charge Number of Electrons = 26 - 2 Number of Electrons = 24 There are 24 electrons in each Fe²⁺ ion.

Write the final answer

In each ²⁵³Fe²⁺ ion, there are 26 protons, 27 neutrons, and 24 electrons.

Key concepts

Atomic Number

The atomic number of an element is a fundamental characteristic that determines its identity. It is denoted by the letter \( Z \) and represents the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom. For iron (Fe), the atomic number is 26. This means every atom of iron has 26 protons.

• The atomic number is critical because it allows us to identify the element on the periodic table.
• All atoms of the same element have the same atomic number, which is why iron always has 26 protons.
• The atomic number is positively charged because protons carry a positive charge.

Understanding the atomic number is essential for distinguishing between different kinds of atoms and molecules, as it often reflects the element's chemical properties.

Neutrons

Neutrons are subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Unlike protons and electrons, neutrons have no electric charge, meaning they are neutral particles. To determine the number of neutrons in an atom's nucleus, you need to know its mass number, which is the sum of protons and neutrons. In our case, iron (\( {}^{53} \mathrm{Fe} \)) has a mass number of 53.

• The number of neutrons can be calculated by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number: \( 53 - 26 = 27 \).
• Neutrons play a crucial role in stabilizing the nucleus, as they help counteract the repulsive forces between protons.
• The number of neutrons can vary in atoms of the same element, leading to different isotopes.

For iron in this specific isotope, there are 27 neutrons, showing how isotopes can vary even within a single type of element.

Electrons

Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom. They are crucial for many chemical processes, including bonding and electricity conduction. The number of electrons in a neutral atom corresponds to the number of protons, making the atom's net charge zero.

• For an atom of iron with atomic number 26, it typically has 26 electrons.
• However, in the case of an ion like \( \mathrm{Fe}^{2+} \), the atom has lost electrons. Specifically, it has lost 2 electrons.
• Thus, the \( \mathrm{Fe}^{2+} \) ion has 24 electrons, calculated as \( 26 - 2 \).

It's the loss or gain of electrons that transforms neutral atoms into ions, affecting their electrical charge and chemical properties. Understanding electrons is key in studying how atoms interact with each other.