In a sample of the element potassium, what does each atom contain?

Question

Natalie Anton · Accepted Answer

Have you got a Periodic Table........?

An atom of potassium contains PRECISELY 19 protons, 19 massive, positively charged #"nucular particles"#. And thus #Z," the atomic number,"=19#, which specifies the element to be potassium. And because this was a NEUTRAL potassium atom, there were also 19 electrons, 19 extranuclear particles of negligible mass that are conceived to whizz about the nuclear core....... About 20 neutrons, or 20 massive particles with ZERO charge, are also present in the nucleus. Together with protons, the neutrons generate a strong nuclear force at such short internuclear distances that is strong enough to overcome the electrostatic repulsion that would otherwise push the protons apart. The presence of 20 or 21 or 19 neutrons within the nucleus gives rise to the phenomenon of #"isotopes"#, which are the same atom (i.e. because #Z=19# still, but have a slightly different mass.

Jose Ayala · Answer

undefined Each atom in a sample of potassium is made up of 19 protons, 19 electrons, and, depending on the isotope, a variable number of neutrons.