The mass of an element is 27 and its atomic number is 13. What is the composition of the nucleus of its atom?
Answer Details
The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus. In this case, the atomic number is 13. This means the nucleus of the atom contains 13 protons. The mass number of an element is equal to the number of protons plus the number of neutrons in its nucleus. The mass of the element is given as 27. Therefore, the number of neutrons in the nucleus can be calculated as follows:
Number of neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number
Number of neutrons = 27 - 13
Number of neutrons = 14
So, the composition of the nucleus of the atom is 13 protons and 14 neutrons. Therefore, the correct option is "13 protons and 14 neutrons".