How to find the Atomic Structure of a Constituent

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on determining the charge density of tap water, with a focus on calculating the number of protons and electrons in various dissolved elements. The user is seeking guidance on how to find the exact number of protons and electrons for elements such as bicarbonate, alongside a list of other constituents in tap water. There is a clarification that while water itself is neutral, the presence of ions means there may be a net charge from the dissolved substances. However, it is noted that solutions are generally neutral due to the balance of positive and negative ions. The user expresses confusion over the definition of charge density from a textbook, prompting a request for clearer methods to calculate it. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexity of calculating charge density in a solution like tap water and the need for accurate data on the elemental composition.
Shelnutt2
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For a project/idea I'm working on, I need to find the charge density of tap water. I've read that this can be determined by simply subtracting total protons minus total electrons. I've got a list of elements that are in the water, but I'm not 100% sure how to find the exact number of electrons and protons for everything. Elements such as Calcium are easy to find, but then Bicarbonate? I've googled and can't seem to find it. If someone can point me in the right direction, it would be great!

Constituent:

Calcium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Bicarbonate
Sulfate
Chloride
Fluoride
Bromide
Silica
Nitrite
Ammonia
Phosphorus (dissolved)
Aluminum
Arsenic
Barium
Beryllium
Boron
Cadmium
Chromium
Cobalt
Iron (dissolved)
Lead
Lithium
Manganese
Selenium
Strontium
Vanadium


Thanks
 
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Shelnutt2 said:
For a project/idea I'm working on, I need to find the charge density of tap water. I've read that this can be determined by simply subtracting total protons minus total electrons.

Water is neutral, so the charge density is zero.
 
Borek said:
Water is neutral, so the charge density is zero.

H2O is neutral, but with all the ions in the water, there has to be something. Even an insignificant amount would still mean something to me.
 
Solutions are neutral as well. Exactly the same amount of positive and negative ions are dissolved.
 
Shelnutt2 said:
For a project/idea I'm working on, I need to find the charge density of tap water. I've read that this can be determined by simply subtracting total protons minus total electrons...

That's a very unusual definition. Where did you see it?
 
chemisttree said:
That's a very unusual definition. Where did you see it?
I got it from a textbook I have. The section talks about tachmen and uses a Tortoises-Hares fable to explain it. Really crummy section, the rest of the book is okay. So I was just going off of the one sentence I quoted below.

Visscher said:
They defined a cell scalar field p(c,t), the electric charge density, obtained from the net charge in the cell (positive minus negative) by dividing by the volume dt(c) = dr^3.

http://books.google.com/books?id=LZ...s+and+Electrodynamics&client=firefox-a&pgis=1

Do you have any better "definitions" on how to calculate charge density? This is the only thing I am stumped on.
 

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