QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
On the periodic table, gold has the atomic number 79. This means that:
A. an atom of gold has 79 protons and electrons combined.
B. gold can be found in 79 isotopes.
C. gold was the 79th element discovered.
D. an atom of gold has 79 protons.
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Answer
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Step 1: Recall the definition of atomic number.
The atomic number of an element is the number of protons present in the nucleus of every atom of that element.
Step 2: Analyze the answer choices.
In answer choice A, it states that an atom of gold has 79 protons and electrons combined. However, the number of electrons in a neutral atom is not determined by the atomic number but rather by the number of protons (which is the atomic number). So, this answer choice is incorrect. In answer choice B, it mentions isotopes. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons but the same number of protons (which is the atomic number). The existence of isotopes does not depend on the atomic number. Hence, this answer choice is also incorrect. In answer choice C, it refers to the discovery order of elements. The atomic number does not reflect the historical discovery order of elements. Therefore, this answer choice is not correct.
Final Answer
An atom of gold has 79 protons.
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