Question

23a identify and label which atom represents fluorine (f) and which atom represents chlorine (cl).

Explanation:

Fluorine has an atomic number of 9, so it has 9 protons and 9 electrons. Chlorine has an atomic number of 17, so it has 17 protons and 17 electrons. By counting the number of electrons (or protons, since in a neutral atom they are equal) in each atom diagram:

• The left atom has 9 electrons (2 in the first shell and 7 in the second shell), so it is Fluorine.
• The right atom has 17 electrons (2 in the first shell, 8 in the second shell, and 7 in the third shell), so it is Chlorine.

Answer:

The atom on the left is Fluorine. The atom on the right is Chlorine.