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

Magnesium has 12 protons, 12 neutrons and 12 electrons.

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

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

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

Let’s dive right into it!

Finding the Protons, Neutrons and Electrons in Magnesium

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 magnesium.

If you don’t want to read, then you can also watch this video.

#1 Number of Protons in Magnesium

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 Magnesium (Mg).

So from the above periodic table, you can see that the atomic number of magnesium is 12.

As the atomic number of magnesium is 12, it has a total of 12 protons in its nucleus.

Thus, the number of protons in Magnesium is 12.

#2 Number of Neutrons in Magnesium

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

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

The atomic mass of magnesium is 24.305 u (which you can round it to 24). ^[2]

So from this atomic mass (i.e 24), you have to subtract its atomic number (i.e 12).

So you will get 24 – 12 = 12.

Thus, the number of neutrons in Magnesium is 12.

#3 Number of Electrons in Magnesium

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

Here, the magnesium atom is a neutral atom.

So the number of electrons in magnesium 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 magnesium is 12.

Thus, the number of electrons in Magnesium is 12.

Summary

Number of Protons in Magnesium

• The number of protons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Protons in Magnesium = Atomic number of Magnesium = 12

Number of Neutrons in Magnesium

• The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.
• Number of Neutrons in Magnesium = Atomic mass of Magnesium – Atomic number of Magnesium = 24 – 12 = 12

Number of Electrons in Magnesium

• For a neutral atom, the number of electrons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Electrons in Magnesium = Atomic number of Magnesium = 12

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

Check out related topics for more practice;
Potassium protons neutrons electrons
Calcium protons neutrons electrons
Strontium protons neutrons electrons 
Barium protons neutrons electrons
Francium protons neutrons electrons