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

Niobium has 41 protons, 52 neutrons and 41 electrons.

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

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

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

Let’s dive right into it!

Finding the Protons, Neutrons and Electrons in Niobium

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 niobium.

#1 Number of Protons in Niobium

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 Niobium (Nb).

So from the above periodic table, you can see that the atomic number of niobium is 41.

As the atomic number of niobium is 41, it has a total of 41 protons in its nucleus.

Thus, the number of protons in Niobium is 41.

#2 Number of Neutrons in Niobium

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

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

The atomic mass of niobium is 92.906 u (which you can round it to 93). ^[2]

So from this atomic mass (i.e 93), you have to subtract its atomic number (i.e 41).

So you will get 93 – 41 = 52.

Thus, the number of neutrons in Niobium is 52.

#3 Number of Electrons in Niobium

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

Here, the niobium atom is a neutral atom.

So the number of electrons in niobium 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 niobium is 41.

Thus, the number of electrons in Niobium is 41.

Summary

Number of Protons in Niobium

• The number of protons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Protons in Niobium = Atomic number of Niobium = 41

Number of Neutrons in Niobium

• The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.
• Number of Neutrons in Niobium = Atomic mass of Niobium – Atomic number of Niobium = 93 – 41 = 52

Number of Electrons in Niobium

• For a neutral atom, the number of electrons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Electrons in Niobium = Atomic number of Niobium = 41

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

Check out related topics for more practice;
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