question_answer 62)

  In response to a question, a student stated that in an atom, the number of protons is greater than the number of neutrons, which in turn is greater than the number of electrons. Do you agree with the statement? Justify your answer.

Answer:

  The given statement is not correct. According to this statement p > n > e But actually, number of protons is never greater than the number of neutrons. Number of neutrons can be equal to or greater than the number of protons because mass number is equal to double the atomic number or greater than double the atomic number. Of course, number of neutrons can be greater than the number of electrons because number of electrons = number of protons in the neutral atom.