Is the number of protons equal to the number of neutrons in an atom?

Answer 1

The number of neutrons in an atom CAN be equal to the number of protons and electrons, BUT IT IS NOT ALWAYS. You can find the number of neutrons in an atom by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number. The number is often the same among the lighter elements, but the ratio of neutrons to protons quickly grows larger than one (on average) as you go further along the periodic table.

Answer 2

In some atoms, yes. In most atoms, no.

99.999867% of helium, for instance, has the same number of these nucleons. For almost all elements above atomic number 21 (which would be scandium), the neutrons are more common.

Answer 3

Not necessarily. The number of protons in an atom determines the element it is, while the number of neutrons can vary, creating different isotopes of the element. The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom is known as the mass number.

Answer 4

Not necessarily, this is true of some of the isotopes of lighter elements, but most isotopes have more neutrons than protons.

Answer 5

not usually, a standard atom will contain the same amount of electrons and PROTONS, not neutrons

Answer 6

No, most atoms have different numbers of protons and neutrons.

Answer 7

No. The number of protons equals the number of electrons in a neutral atom.

Answer 8

Yes :-)

Answer 9

yes, always