Proton Chemistry Example 3

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Example 3

easy
How many protons are in an atom of potassium (K, atomic number 19)?

Solution

  1. 1
    The atomic number gives the number of protons directly.
  2. 2
    Potassium has atomic number 19, so it has 19 protons.

Answer

19 protons19\text{ protons}
The atomic number is always equal to the proton count. This is the defining characteristic of each element.

About Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of every atom, with a charge of +1+1 and a mass of approximately 1 atomic mass.

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