Question detail
If an isotope of chlorine has a mass number of 37 and an atomic number of 17, how many neutrons does it contain?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Atoms and isotopes
Question
If an isotope of chlorine has a mass number of 37 and an atomic number of 17, how many neutrons does it contain?
Answer
20
Explanation
20 is correct because the worked solution uses neutrons = mass number - atomic number and substitutes the values from the question. This keeps activity, count rate, atomic number, mass number and neutron count distinct for Atomic structure.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Isotope Notation
Students often confuse the atomic number and mass number when interpreting isotope notation, leading to incorrect identification of protons and neutrons.
To fix this, remember that the atomic number (Z) represents the number of protons, while the mass number (A) is the total number of protons and neutrons. Practice interpreting isotope notation by clearly distinguishing between these two numbers.
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