What is the difference between the number of electrons in an atom of selenium, se, and the number of electrons in an atom of aluminum, al

Selenium has 36 electrons34 (atomic number) + 2 (amount of electrons gained in the ion, has a 2 - charge) = 36

To identify the number of electrons an element has, all you need is a periodic table. Identify the atomic number (the smallest of the 2 numbers in the box). That number will be the number of protons which is also the number of electrons.

*number Atoms of all elements are made up of three primary particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The "sub-atomic" particles each have specific properties that such as size, electrical charge, etc. that are crucial for the stability of the atom. The particles break down like this: Particle Relative size Charge Location How to determine

Proton 1 + in the nucleus # of protons = element's atomic # (use periodic table)

Electron 0 - outside nucleus # of electrons=# of protons (in neutral, "normal" atom)

Neutron 1 0 in the nucleus Must be told or given (ie. can vary--isotopes--

for small elements most common form often

consists of isotope where #protons=#neutrons) Aluminum has 13 electrons because it needs 13 negative charges to balance the 13 postively-charged protons (which is what the periodic table told us it contains). This will make the Aluminum atom electrically neutral.