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

You can determine the number of electrons in an element by looking at its atomic number on the Periodic Table. The atomic number represents the number of protons and electrons in a neutral atom of that element. For example, carbon has an atomic number of 6, so it has 6 electrons.

Answer 3

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

Answer 4

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

Answer 5

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

Answer 6

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

Answer 7

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 8

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

Answer 9

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