An atom of sodium-23 (Na-23) has a net charge of +1. Identify the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in the atom. Then, explain how you determined the number of each type of particle. Use the periodic table to help you.

Answer:

Sodium-23 has 11 protons, 12 neutrons, and 10 electrons. The atomic number gives the number of protons (11). The number of neutrons is found by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number: 23 − 11 = 12. Because each proton has a +1 charge and each electron has a −1 charge, a +1 net charge means the atom has one fewer electron than protons: 11 − 1 = 10 electrons.