The calculation of electrons in an atom or ion is quite straightforward. For an atom in its neutral form, the total electrons equate to its atomic number. On the contrary, when dealing with ions, if the charge is positive, you'll need to deduct the charge from the atomic number. And in the case of a negative charge, the charge should be added to the atomic number.
| Topic | Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| None | An atom of a certain element has 4 protons and 5 … | Step 1: Recall that in a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons. |