Ag-109 has 62 neutrons. The neutral atom has how many electrons?

• A. 15 electrons
• B. 47 electrons
• C. 62 electrons
• D. 109 electrons

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic number of Ag-109, which corresponds to the number of protons in the atom. The atomic number of silver (Ag) is 47.
2. Recall that a neutral atom has an equal number of protons and electrons to balance the charge.
3. Since Ag-109 is a neutral atom, the number of electrons must be equal to the number of protons, which is the atomic number.
4. Note that the number of neutrons (62) does not affect the number of electrons in a neutral atom; it only affects the isotope's mass number.
5. Therefore, the number of electrons in a neutral Ag-109 atom is equal to the atomic number, which is 47.