Californium Protons Neutrons Electrons (And How to Find them?)

Californium has 98 protons, 153 neutrons and 98 electrons.

But how will you find the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in Californium (Cf)?

Well, it is very easy to find the protons, neutrons and electrons of californium atom.

Here I have given a very simple method for finding the protons, neutrons and electrons of californium atom.

Let’s dive right into it!

Finding the Protons, Neutrons and Electrons in Californium

How to find protons?

• The number of protons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom. ^[1]

How to find neutrons?

• The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.

How to find electrons?

• For a neutral atom, the number of electrons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.

Let’s calculate the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in californium.

#1 Number of Protons in Californium

If you have a periodic table with you, then most of the answers are in front of you.

You can see the elements, their atomic number and their atomic mass from the periodic table.

Now here our element is Californium (Cf).

So from the above periodic table, you can see that the atomic number of californium is 98.

As the atomic number of californium is 98, it has a total of 98 protons in its nucleus.

Thus, the number of protons in Californium is 98.

#2 Number of Neutrons in Californium

In order to find the number of neutrons of californium atom, you should know its atomic mass first.

The number of neutrons in californium can be obtained by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.

The atomic mass of californium is 251 u. ^[2]

So from this atomic mass (i.e 251), you have to subtract its atomic number (i.e 98).

So you will get 251 – 98 = 153.

Thus, the number of neutrons in Californium is 153.

#3 Number of Electrons in Californium

For a neutral atom, the number of electrons and the number of protons are the same.

Here, the californium atom is a neutral atom.

So the number of electrons in californium is equal to its number of protons (which is also equal to its atomic number).

In the beginning, we have found that the number of protons in californium is 98.

Thus, the number of electrons in Californium is 98.

Summary

Number of Protons in Californium

• The number of protons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Protons in Californium = Atomic number of Californium = 98

Number of Neutrons in Californium

• The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.
• Number of Neutrons in Californium = Atomic mass of Californium – Atomic number of Californium = 251 – 98 = 153

Number of Electrons in Californium

• For a neutral atom, the number of electrons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Electrons in Californium = Atomic number of Californium = 98

I hope you have understood the simple method for finding the protons, neutrons and electrons of californium atom.

Check out related topics for more practice;
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