How do you find the charge of an atom?

[alewisGB]

Calculate the electrostatic force between a proton and a gold nucleus Au with a distance 7.5x10^-13m
^197₉₇Au

The Electrostatic force is (Q₁Q₂)/4∏ε0d²

Two things I want to know, the charge of the gold and how to find the charge of Atoms!
All I need to know is the charge, I can do the rest!

 

[technician]

Au has 97 protons (and electrons) therefore the charge on the nucleus is +97 x electron charge. The charge on the proton is +1 electron charge
Electron charge is 1.6 x 10 ^-19 C

 

[alewisGB]

Au has 97 protons (and electrons) therefore the charge on the nucleus is +97 x electron charge. The charge on the proton is +1 electron charge
Electron charge is 1.6 x 10 ^-19 C

Thanks!

 

[epenguin]

That is what it is but your question was how do you find out? What will you do if the next question is about lead or other element nucleus?

You didn't know that is the atomic number which you will find in every periodic table, not to be confused with atomic mass which you will find in the same table?

 

[Redbelly98]

Au has 97 protons

No it does not.

Let's please let the OP find the correct number.

 

[technician]

sorry Redbelly98 and alewisGB! __ protons not 97.
Very sloppy of me, easy to check with periodic table. I suppose whether it is gold or not is irrelevant, OP should find out what to look for.

 

[Redbelly98]

As I said, let the OP find the correct number. (As you said, it's easy to check with periodic table.)