How many neutrons and protons does a typical neutral atom of phosphorus have?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 10, 2016

The #""^31P# isotope is almost 100% abundant, #Z=15#, and thus there are 16 neutrons.

Explanation:

The atomic number, #Z#, of phosphorus is #15#. That is there are 15 #"protons"#, fundamental, positively charged, massive particles in the phosphorus nucleus. This atomic number defines the elemental identitiy. If there are 15 protons, then to make up the isotopic mass, #31#, there must be 16 #"neutrons"#, 16 massive, neutrally charged particles in the element's nucleus.

Related questions
See all questions in Basic Atomic Structure
Impact of this question
8892 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License