How many protons neutrons and electrons are in phosphorus?

From a periodic table, we can see that the atomic number of phosphorus (the smaller number) is 15, so that means that phosphorus has 15 protons. An atom does not have a charge, and so number of protons=number of electrons. Phosphorus also has 15 electrons. A periodic table also gives us the mass number of phosphorus (the bigger number) which is 31. This number is equal to protons + neutrons in an atom, so mass number - protons = neutrons. 31 - 15 = 16, so phosphorus has 16 neutrons.

Answered by Annabelle C. • Chemistry tutor

12814 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Explanation:

Atomic number of phosphorus is #15#. So, it has #15# electrons and #15# protons.
Mass number of phosphorus is #31#

Number of neutrons = Mass number - Number of protons
Number of neutrons#= 31 - 15 = 16#

Protons-15, electrons-15, neutron-16

Right on! Give the BNAT exam to get a 100% scholarship for BYJUS courses

Protons-15, electrons-15, neutron-15

No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!

Protons-15, electrons-16, neutrons-16

No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!

Protons-16, electrons-16, neutrons-15

No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!

Solution

The correct option is A Protons-15, electrons-15, neutron-16
∙ An element is expressed as AZX, where Z represents atomic number, A represents atomic mass and X stands for the atomic symbol of the given element.

∙ Phosphorus is expressed as 3115P, hence, 15 is its atomic number and 31 the mass number.

∙ The atomic number gives the number of protons present in an atom. For a neutral atom, it also represents the number of electrons.

∙ Therefore, no. of protons = no. of electrons = 15

∙ Mass number represents the sum of the number of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom.

∙ Thus, no. of neutrons = mass no. - no. of protons = 31-15 = 16.

 Home

 About This Site
 Comments
 Help
 Links

 Window Version

 Show Table With:
   Name
   Atomic Number
   Atomic Mass
   Electron Configuration
   Number of Neutrons
   Melting Point
   Boiling Point
   Date of Discovery
   Crystal Structure

 Element Groups:
   Alkali Metals
   Alkaline Earth Metals
   Transition Metals
   Other Metals
   Metalloids
   Non-Metals
   Halogens
   Noble Gases
   Rare Earth Elements

How many neutrons are in phosphorus?

How many protons does phosphorus 30 have?

What is the number of electrons in phosphorus?

How many neutrons does phosphorus 31 have?