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orgla
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Homework Statement
An ion of a magnesium isotope has A=24 and Z=12. Find the specific charge
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
I know that the charge of a proton in Coulombs is [tex]1.60\times10^{-19}[/tex]. From the information given, I know that I have 12 protons and [tex] 24-12=12 [/tex] neutrons. Neutrons have no charge so I can ignore them. Therefore my charge is [tex] 12 \times 1.60\times10^{-19} = 1.92\times10^{-18} [/tex]
This is very wrong. My answer should be [tex] +3.2\times10^{-19} [/tex]
I know that the mass of a proton is [tex]1.67\times10^{-27} [/tex] which is equal to a neutron. From the information given I have 24 nucleons and so a mass of [tex] 24\times1.67\times10^{-27} = 4.008\times10^{-26}[/tex].
This is very wrong. My answer should [tex]3.98\times10^{-26}[/tex]
I realize that electrons have charge and mass too, and in a stable atom, equal the number of protons. Persumably, if this is an ion, it's lost/gained some electrons and so is not stable. So I don't know how to tell how many electrons there are in this atom.
Thank you very much for reading. I hope someone can sort out this confusion!
Charlie.
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