How many protons are in this sodium ion?
${}_{11}^{23} Na^{+}$
Answer (1)
The number of protons in an ion is equal to its atomic number.
In the notation 11 23 N a + , the atomic number is 11.
Therefore, the number of protons in the sodium ion is 11.
The final answer is 11 .
Explanation
Problem Analysis The given ion is represented as 11 23 N a + . We need to determine the number of protons in this ion.
Understanding Atomic Number The atomic number of an element indicates the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element. In the notation Z A X , Z represents the atomic number, A represents the mass number, and X is the chemical symbol of the element.
Identifying the Number of Protons In the given sodium ion, 11 23 N a + , the atomic number is 11. This means there are 11 protons in the nucleus of the sodium atom. The '+' sign indicates that the sodium atom has lost one electron, but this does not affect the number of protons in the nucleus.
Final Answer Therefore, the number of protons in the sodium ion 11 23 N a + is 11.
Examples
Understanding the number of protons in an ion is crucial in various fields, such as chemistry and nuclear physics. For instance, in chemical reactions, the number of protons determines the element's identity and its chemical properties. In nuclear medicine, radioactive isotopes like sodium-23 ( 23 N a ) are used as tracers. Knowing the number of protons helps scientists predict how these isotopes will behave in the body, aiding in diagnosis and treatment. For example, if a hospital uses a sodium isotope for imaging, knowing it has 11 protons helps ensure the correct isotope is being used for the procedure.
