Question

An element with mass number 81 contains 31.7% more neutrons as compared to protons. Assign the atomic symbol.

Answer 1

Let the number of protons in the element be x.

∴ Number of neutrons in the element

= x + 31.7% of x

= x + 0.317 x

= 1.317 x

According to the question,

Mass number of the element = 81

∴ (Number of protons + number of neutrons) = 81

`=> x + 1.317x = 81`

`2.317x = 81`

`x = 81/2.317`

= 34.95

`therefore x = 35`

Hence, the number of protons in the element i.e., x is 35.

Since the atomic number of an atom is defined as the number of protons present in its nucleus, the atomic number of the given element is 35.

∴ The atomic symbol of the element is `""_35^81"Br"`