Question

how many protons, neutrons, and electrons? proton = 6, neutron = 2, electron = 6 proton = 8, neutron = 8, electron = 10 proton = 16, neutron = 8, electron = 10 proton = 8, neutron = 16, electron = 8

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the number of protons

The atomic number (lower number) of oxygen is \(8\), so the number of protons is \(8\).

Step2: Determine the number of neutrons

The mass number (upper number) is \(16\). Using the formula \( \text{Neutrons}=\text{Mass number}-\text{Atomic number}\), we have \(16 - 8=8\) neutrons.

Step3: Determine the number of electrons

The ion has a charge of \(- 2\). For a neutral atom, \(\text{Electrons}=\text{Protons}\). But for an anion (\(-2\) charge), \(\text{Electrons}=\text{Protons}+| \text{Charge}|\). So \(8 + 2=10\) electrons.

Answer:

proton = 8, neutron = 8, electron = 10 (the blue - colored option)