How do you tell how many electrons are in an element?

Answer 1

First you have to look at the number of protons in the element because in a neutral element or atom the number of protons and the number of electrons are the same

If the atom is an ion (i.e has a charge/valency) you either take away or add the charge to the number of electrons

for example

oxygen has 8 protons and 8 electrons

say that it has a charge of (-2)

that means that there are 2 more electrons in this particular atom because the charge is negative (electrons have negative charges) and the valency is '2'

hence add 2 electrons the the existing 8 and you have 10 electrons (HOPE THIS DOESNT CONFUSE YOU)

Answer 2

ll what i do is i go to answers.com and type it in hope this helped you

Answer 3

The number of electrons is always the same number as the protons and atomic number

Answer 4

The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of electrons

Answer 5

You Look At The Number At The Top And That Shows How Many Neutrons And Electrons They Have Alltogether.. Loll, I Think?

Answer 6

You round the atomic mass ;)Additional answer

Actually, you take the atomic number. It's the same as the number of protons and the number of electrons.

Answer 7

by knowing the number of protons we can directly know the number of electrons in an element

Answer 8

by its atomic number. Oxygen is 8, and has 8 electrons, 2 in its first valence and 6 in its outer valence