Nitrogen has 7 protons, 7 neutrons and 7 electrons.
But how will you find the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in Nitrogen (N)?
Well, it is very easy to find the protons, neutrons and electrons of nitrogen atom.
Here I have given a very simple method for finding the protons, neutrons and electrons of nitrogen atom.
Let’s dive right into it!
Finding the Protons, Neutrons and Electrons in Nitrogen
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 nitrogen.
If you don’t want to read, then you can also watch this video.
#1 Number of Protons in Nitrogen
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 Nitrogen (N).
So from the above periodic table, you can see that the atomic number of nitrogen is 7.
As the atomic number of nitrogen is 7, it has a total of 7 protons in its nucleus.
Thus, the number of protons in Nitrogen is 7.
#2 Number of Neutrons in Nitrogen
In order to find the number of neutrons of nitrogen atom, you should know its atomic mass first.
The number of neutrons in nitrogen can be obtained by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.
The atomic mass of nitrogen is 14.007 u (which you can round it to 14). [2]
So from this atomic mass (i.e 14), you have to subtract its atomic number (i.e 7).
So you will get 14 – 7 = 7.
Thus, the number of neutrons in Nitrogen is 7.
#3 Number of Electrons in Nitrogen
For a neutral atom, the number of electrons and the number of protons are the same.
Here, the nitrogen atom is a neutral atom.
So the number of electrons in nitrogen 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 nitrogen is 7.
Thus, the number of electrons in Nitrogen is 7.
Summary
Number of Protons in Nitrogen
- The number of protons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
- Number of Protons in Nitrogen = Atomic number of Nitrogen = 7
Number of Neutrons in Nitrogen
- The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.
- Number of Neutrons in Nitrogen = Atomic mass of Nitrogen – Atomic number of Nitrogen = 14 – 7 = 7
Number of Electrons in Nitrogen
- For a neutral atom, the number of electrons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
- Number of Electrons in Nitrogen = Atomic number of Nitrogen = 7
I hope you have understood the simple method for finding the protons, neutrons and electrons of nitrogen atom.
Check out related topics for more practice;
Oxygen protons neutrons electrons
Fluorine protons neutrons electrons
Neon protons neutrons electrons
Aluminum protons neutrons electrons
Silicon protons neutrons electrons
Jay is an educator and has helped more than 100,000 students in their studies by providing simple and easy explanations on different science-related topics. With a desire to make learning accessible for everyone, he founded Knords Learning, an online learning platform that provides students with easily understandable explanations.
Read more about our Editorial process.