Question

1. what does the mass number of an atom represent?

a) the total number of electrons
b) the total number of protons and neutrons
c) the number of protons only
d) the average atomic mass

1. if an atom has an atomic number of 8, how many electrons does it have in a neutral

state?
a) 4 b) 8 c) 16
d) 0

Explanation:

• For question 8: The mass number of an atom is defined as the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
• For question 9: In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the atomic number. Since the atomic number is 8, the number of electrons is also 8.

Answer:

1. B. The total number of protons and neutrons
2. B. 8