How many protons are in this element?
[tex] { }_{14}^{20} Si [/tex]
Answer (2)
Recognize that in the notation Z A X , Z represents the number of protons.
Identify Z as 14 in the given element 14 20 S i .
Conclude that the number of protons is 14 .
Explanation
Understanding the Notation The element is represented as 14 20 S i . In this notation, the subscript (14) represents the number of protons, also known as the atomic number, and the superscript (20) represents the mass number (number of protons + number of neutrons).
Identifying the Question The question asks for the number of protons in the element 14 20 S i .
Determining the Number of Protons The number of protons is given by the subscript in the element notation, which is 14.
Final Answer Therefore, the number of protons in the element 14 20 S i is 14 .
Examples
Understanding the number of protons in an element is crucial in chemistry. For example, when identifying an element or understanding its chemical properties, the number of protons (atomic number) is the key. Silicon (Si), with 14 protons, is a semiconductor widely used in electronics. Knowing the number of protons helps predict how silicon will interact with other elements, which is essential in designing electronic devices.
The element 14 20 S i has 14 protons, indicated by the subscript in its notation. The subscript represents the atomic number, which identifies the number of protons in the nucleus. Thus, Silicon has a total of 14 protons.
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