If an atom has 15 protons, 14 neutrons, and 18 electrons, what is the atom's electrical charge?

By referring to a periodic table or table of elements, we see that phosphorus (symbol P) has an atomic number of 15. Thus, each atom has 15 protons. The mass number of the ion is 15 + 16 = 31. Because the ion has 15 protons and 18 electrons (three more electrons than protons), its net charge is 3-.