How to find the Protons Neutrons and Electrons of an element on the Periodic Table

How many protons, neutrons, and electrons does Boron have?

The periodic table provides a wealth of information for the elements. However, if you can't read the periodic table it is not very helpful.
Let's go over some basics found in each box of the periodic table.

You can easily fill out this chart if you know just a couple of facts.

Let's use Boron as an example.

The symbol of the element identifies the element. In the example above the symbol is B which stands for Boron.

The Atomic Number identifies the element and the number of protons.

Boron has 5 protons.

In order to find the electrons take the atomic number and subtract the charge. A neutral element will have a 0 charge. 

An ion will have a plus or minus charge.

A neutral Boron will have 5 electrons

5-0 = 5 Electrons

The atomic mass is the average mass of the isotopes of elements.

If you round this to the closest whole number it is the mass number The mass number is a combination of protons and neutrons.

If you subtract the mass number minus the number of protons this gives you the element's number of neutrons.

The number of neutrons for Boron equals

11 - 5 = 6 neutrons.

In the video, I work through several example elements and find the protons, neutrons, and electrons for Silver, Potassium, Tin,  and Fluorine.

MooMooMath and Science YouTube

Transition Metals

Atom in Simple Terms

Leave a Comment number neutrons, number protons, periodic table