Solutions: Atomic Structure

Q7.

(a) An ion of plutonium has an overall charge of +1.6 × 10–19C.
For this ion state the number of

(i) protons

94

(ii) neutrons

239 - 94 = 145

(iii) electrons

93

(3 marks)

(b) Plutonium has several isotopes. Explain the meaning of the word isotopes.

Isotopes have the same number of protons in the nucleus [or the same atomic number] but different number of neutrons/nucleons [or different mass numbers]

(2 marks)
(Total 5 marks)