A neutral isotope has a mass number of 65 and 36 neutrons. Identify the element symbol of this isotope and determine the number of protons and electrons.

Answer: element symbol : Cu.

Number of protons = 29

Number of electrons = 29

Explanation:

Mass number is defined as the sum of number of protons and neutrons that are present in an atom.

Mass number = Number of protons + Number of neutrons (i)

Atomic number is defined as the number of protons or number of electrons that are present in an atom in a neutral element.

Atomic number = Number of electrons = Number of protons (ii)

Given mass number = 65

Number of neutrons = 36

using (i), Mass number = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

65 = Number of protons + 36

Number of protons = 29

Using (ii), Atomic number = Number of protons = Number of electrons = 29

Thus the element is copper with atomic number of 29 and element symbol is Cu.

Is an isotope of Cu (Copper)

Explanation:

Remember that the mass number will tell you the number of protons and neutrons. If you have the mass number (65) and the number of neutrons (36), you just need to subtract: 65 - 36 = 29 the number or protons.

As this is a neutral isotope, that means that is going to have the same number of protons and electrons, that is 29.