If an atom has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, what are its atomic number and mass number?

Prepare for the IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry Test with engaging flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question comes with detailed hints and explanations to enhance your learning experience. Master your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

If an atom has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, what are its atomic number and mass number?

Explanation:
The key idea is that the atomic number equals the number of protons, while the mass number equals the total number of protons and neutrons. With 6 protons, the atomic number is 6. With 6 neutrons added, the mass number becomes 6 + 6 = 12. So the atom has atomic number 6 and mass number 12 (carbon-12). The other possibilities would require a different number of protons or a different total of protons and neutrons, which doesn't match the given information.

The key idea is that the atomic number equals the number of protons, while the mass number equals the total number of protons and neutrons. With 6 protons, the atomic number is 6. With 6 neutrons added, the mass number becomes 6 + 6 = 12. So the atom has atomic number 6 and mass number 12 (carbon-12). The other possibilities would require a different number of protons or a different total of protons and neutrons, which doesn't match the given information.

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