To determine the number of protons and neutrons in an atom of Americium-241 (Am-241), we can use the information given in the name of the isotope.
Number of Protons: The number of protons in an atom is determined by the atomic number of the element. For Americium (Am), the atomic number is 95. This means every atom of Americium, regardless of its isotope, has 95 protons.
Number of Neutrons: The mass number of an isotope is given after the element's name, and in this case, it is 241 for Am-241. The mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. To find the number of neutrons, you subtract the number of protons from the mass number:
Number of Neutrons = Mass Number − Number of Protons Number of Neutrons = 241 − 95 = 146
Therefore, an atom of Am-241 has 95 protons and 146 neutrons.