An atom with atomic number 8 has how many protons?

Study for the IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

An atom with atomic number 8 has how many protons?

Explanation:
The key idea here is that the atomic number tells you how many protons are in the nucleus. So if an atom has atomic number 8, it has eight protons. The number of neutrons can vary between isotopes (mass number = protons + neutrons), and the number of electrons would match the protons only if the atom is neutral, which isn’t specified here. But for the question asked, the number of protons is eight.

The key idea here is that the atomic number tells you how many protons are in the nucleus. So if an atom has atomic number 8, it has eight protons. The number of neutrons can vary between isotopes (mass number = protons + neutrons), and the number of electrons would match the protons only if the atom is neutral, which isn’t specified here. But for the question asked, the number of protons is eight.

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