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

Strontium has 38 protons, 50 neutrons and 38 electrons.

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

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

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

Let’s dive right into it!

Finding the Protons, Neutrons and Electrons in Strontium

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 strontium.

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

#1 Number of Protons in Strontium

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 Strontium (Sr).

So from the above periodic table, you can see that the atomic number of strontium is 38.

As the atomic number of strontium is 38, it has a total of 38 protons in its nucleus.

Thus, the number of protons in Strontium is 38.

#2 Number of Neutrons in Strontium

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

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

The atomic mass of strontium is 87.62 u (which you can round it to 88). ^[2]

So from this atomic mass (i.e 88), you have to subtract its atomic number (i.e 38).

So you will get 88 – 38 = 50.

Thus, the number of neutrons in Strontium is 50.

#3 Number of Electrons in Strontium

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

Here, the strontium atom is a neutral atom.

So the number of electrons in strontium 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 strontium is 38.

Thus, the number of electrons in Strontium is 38.

Summary

Number of Protons in Strontium

• The number of protons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Protons in Strontium = Atomic number of Strontium = 38

Number of Neutrons in Strontium

• The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.
• Number of Neutrons in Strontium = Atomic mass of Strontium – Atomic number of Strontium = 88 – 38 = 50

Number of Electrons in Strontium

• For a neutral atom, the number of electrons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Electrons in Strontium = Atomic number of Strontium = 38

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

Check out related topics for more practice;
Barium protons neutrons electrons
Francium protons neutrons electrons
Boron protons neutrons electrons
Carbon protons neutrons electrons
Nitrogen protons neutrons electrons