Se atom has a mass number of 79 determine the number of neutrons and protons and electrons in the neutral isotope

The number of neutrons, protons and electrons in the neutral isotope of Se atom is 45, 34 and 34, respectively.

Explanation:

Selenium has six natural isotopes. Originally, Selenium or Se atom has an atomic number of 34. As the atomic number of any element is equal to the number of electrons in that element. So the number of electrons in the original or stable Se atom is 34. Also we know that an isotope of an element is formed when there is a change in the number of neutrons. So the number of electrons of the stable and isotopic element will be same. Thus, the number of electrons in Se isotope with mass number 79 is 34.

As we know that mass number is the sum of number of protons and neutrons, so by knowing the number of protons we can determine the number of neutrons. Since the number of protons and electrons are same in stable and isotopic states. So here also the number of protons and electrons will be equal to 34. The remaining number of neutrons can be determined by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number. So the number of neutrons will be 79-34 = 45. Thus, the isotope of Se-79 has 45 number of neutrons, 34 number of protons and 34 number of electrons.