Question

Write the atomic symbol \(\left(\frac{4}{2} X\right)\) for each of the following isotopes. a. \(Z=8,\) number of neutrons \(=9\) b. the isotope of chlorine in which \(A=37\) c. \(Z=27, A=60\) d. number of protons \(=26,\) number of neutrons \(=31\) e. the isotope of I with a mass number of 131 f. \(Z=3,\) number of neutrons \(=4\)

Short answer

The atomic symbols for the given isotopes are: a. \(\left(\frac{17}{8}O\right)\) b. \(\left(\frac{37}{17}Cl\right)\) c. \(\left(\frac{60}{27}Co\right)\) d. \(\left(\frac{57}{26}Fe\right)\) e. \(\left(\frac{131}{53}I\right)\) f. \(\left(\frac{7}{3}Li\right)\)

Step-by-step solution

Determine the mass number (A)

Since the number of neutrons is 9 and the atomic number (Z) is 8, the mass number (A) can be found by adding the number of protons and neutrons, which is \(A = Z + N = 8+9 = 17\).

Find the chemical symbol (X)

Referring to the periodic table, the element with an atomic number of 8 is Oxygen (O). So, X = O.

Write the atomic symbol

Using the information from steps 1 and 2, the atomic symbol for the isotope is: \(\left(\frac{17}{8}O\right)\). #b. the isotope of chlorine in which A=37#

Find the atomic number (Z) and chemical symbol (X)

Referring to the periodic table, Chlorine has an atomic number of 17 (Z=17) and its chemical symbol is Cl.

Write the atomic symbol

The atomic symbol for this isotope is: \(\left(\frac{37}{17}Cl\right)\). #c. Z=27, A=60#

Find the chemical symbol (X)

Referring to the periodic table, the element with an atomic number of 27 is Cobalt (Co). So, X = Co.

Write the atomic symbol

The atomic symbol for this isotope is: \(\left(\frac{60}{27}Co\right)\). #d. number of protons = 26, number of neutrons = 31#

Determine the atomic number (Z) and mass number (A)

The atomic number (Z) is equal to the number of protons (26) and the mass number (A) is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons (26+31=57).

Find the chemical symbol (X)

Referring to the periodic table, the element with an atomic number of 26 is Iron (Fe). So, X = Fe.

Write the atomic symbol

The atomic symbol for this isotope is: \(\left(\frac{57}{26}Fe\right)\). #e. the isotope of Iodine with a mass number of 131#

Find the atomic number (Z) and chemical symbol (X)

Referring to the periodic table, Iodine has an atomic number of 53 (Z=53) and its chemical symbol is I.

Write the atomic symbol

The atomic symbol for this isotope is: \(\left(\frac{131}{53}I\right)\). #f. Z=3, number of neutrons = 4#

Determine the mass number (A)

A is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons, which is \(A = Z + N = 3+4 =7\).

Find the chemical symbol (X)

Referring to the periodic table, the element with an atomic number of 3 is Lithium (Li). So, X = Li.

Write the atomic symbol

The atomic symbol for this isotope is: \(\left(\frac{7}{3}Li\right)\).

Key concepts

Atomic Symbol

The atomic symbol is a concise way to represent a specific isotope of an element. It's a shorthand notation that provides a lot of information about an atom at a glance. The symbol is formatted as \( \left(\frac{A}{Z}X\right) \), where:

• \( A \) is the mass number, which is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
• \( Z \) is the atomic number, representing the number of protons in the nucleus.
• \( X \) is the chemical symbol of the element.

This notation allows anyone familiar with the periodic table to quickly deduce the atomic structure and identity of an atom. For example, \( \left(\frac{37}{17}\right)\) corresponds to a chlorine isotope with 17 protons and a combined total of 37 protons and neutrons.

Mass Number

The mass number, denoted by \( A \), is crucial for identifying isotopes. It is the total count of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus. Unlike the atomic number, which only considers protons, the mass number provides insights into the isotope's identity. The mass number is calculated by using the formula:

• \( A = Z + N \)

where \( N \) is the number of neutrons. Mass number is essential in distinguishing between different isotopes of the same element. For instance, carbon-12 and carbon-14 are both forms of carbon, but their mass numbers differ due to varying neutron counts.

Chemical Symbol

Chemical symbols are abbreviations used to represent elements. They usually consist of one or two letters where the first letter is always uppercase, and if there is a second letter, it is lowercase. These symbols are standardized and used worldwide to avoid confusion.

• For instance, "H" stands for hydrogen, and "He" represents helium.
• The chemical symbol provides an instant connection to the element's location on the periodic table.

More than just a letter or two, they encapsulate significant historical and scientific information regarding the element's discovery and properties.

Atomic Number

The atomic number, symbolized by \( Z \), is a fundamental property of an element. It represents the number of protons present in an atom's nucleus. This number defines the element; for instance, an atomic number of 1 corresponds to hydrogen, while 6 indicates carbon. In neutral atoms, the atomic number is also equal to the number of electrons, balancing the positive charges of protons for electrical neutrality.Understanding the atomic number is integral to comprehending chemical behavior and placement in the periodic table. This one number unlocks the element's identity and much of its chemical behavior.