The atomic masses of two isotopes of silver are 105 and 111. The chemical symbol for silver is Ag. (a) What are the number of protons and neutrons in each of the two isotopes? (b) What is the number of orbiting electrons in each of the two isotopes when each is electrically neutral?

A. 47 protons and 58 neutrons, 47 protons and 64 neutrons

B. 47 electrons

Explanation:

While it is possible for two isotopes of a particular element to have different atomic masses, it is. It is impossible for the number of protons or the atomic number of the isotopes to be different.

To answer this question properly, we would be needing the proton number or the atomic number of silver. The atomic number of silver is 47. Let's say the isotopes are A and B respectively.

The number of protons in the same is equal which is 47. The number of neutrons is different and can be obtained by subtracting the number of protons from the mass number.

For A: neutrons = 105 - 47 = 58

For B: neutrons = 111 - 47 = 64

Since Both are electrically neutral, the number of orbiting electrons is also equals the number of protons which is equal to 47.