An atom of chlorine is represented by #""_17^37 Cl#. How many neutrons are in the nucleus of this atom?

Answer 1

#""_17^37Cl# contains 20 neutrons. Why? Because #17+20=37#.

We know that EVERY #Cl# contains #17# protons, massive, positively charged nuclear particles. This is what defines it as a chlorine atom (and in fact, given the atomic symbol #Cl#, the subscript is a bit superfluous). However, the nucleus can also contain NEUTRONS, massive, neutrally charged nuclear particles. Interactions between neutrons and protons help stabilize the nucleus (and I am not a particle physicist). The sum of the massive particles, #17+20#, gives the mass number, #37#, which is conveniently SUPERSCRIPTED.
Other chlorine nuclei may contain different numbers of neutrons; this is what gives rise to the existence of isotopes. The atomic mass mass quoted on the Periodic Table, #35.45# #"amu"#, is the weighted average of the individual isotopes.
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Answer 2

Subtract the atomic number (bottom number) from the mass number (top number) to find the number of neutrons in an atom. For example, for chlorine: number of neutrons = mass number - atomic number; number of neutrons = 37 - 17; number of neutrons = 20.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

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