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

Sodium has 11 protons, 12 neutrons and 11 electrons.

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

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

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

Let’s dive right into it!

Finding the Protons, Neutrons and Electrons in Sodium

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 sodium.

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

#1 Number of Protons in Sodium

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 Sodium (Na).

So from the above periodic table, you can see that the atomic number of sodium is 11.

As the atomic number of sodium is 11, it has a total of 11 protons in its nucleus.

Thus, the number of protons in Sodium is 11.

#2 Number of Neutrons in Sodium

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

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

The atomic mass of sodium is 22.990 u (which you can round it to 23). ^[2]

So from this atomic mass (i.e 23), you have to subtract its atomic number (i.e 11).

So you will get 23 – 11 = 12.

Thus, the number of neutrons in Sodium is 12.

#3 Number of Electrons in Sodium

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

Here, the sodium atom is a neutral atom.

So the number of electrons in sodium 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 sodium is 11.

Thus, the number of electrons in Sodium is 11.

Summary

Number of Protons in Sodium

• The number of protons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Protons in Sodium = Atomic number of Sodium = 11

Number of Neutrons in Sodium

• The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.
• Number of Neutrons in Sodium = Atomic mass of Sodium – Atomic number of Sodium = 23 – 11 = 12

Number of Electrons in Sodium

• For a neutral atom, the number of electrons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Electrons in Sodium = Atomic number of Sodium = 11

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

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