Chapter 15, Problem 9TE

To determine

The number of electrons in the neutral gold atom.

Answer to Problem 9TE

The number of electrons in the electrically neutral atom is $79$.

Explanation of Solution

The number of protons in the nucleus of a neutral atom is called the atomic number of the atom. The atomic number is decided by the total number of electrons in an atom, as the number of electrons is same as the atomic number of the atom.

The number of protons in the nucleus of the neutral gold atom is $79$, so the atomic number of the gold is also $79$. The number of electrons in the neutral gold atom is same as the atomic number of the neutral gold atom and it is $79$.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the number of electrons in the electrically neutral atom is $79$.