Chemistry help (atomic symbols?

Question

Can anyone show me how to do this problem step by step?

37. Write the atomic symbol for each of the isotopes described below.

a. Z = 8, number of neutrons = 9

Answer 1

OK..highschool chemistry was 40 years ago for me.....but a bit of revision tells me:

Z is the atomic number  i.e. the position of the element on the periodic table...therefore 8 is oxygen

neutrons are non charged particles bound together with protons to make the nucleus of an atom. If there are more neutrons than protons it will increase the atomic mass of the atom which then becomes an isotope

To write the atomic symbol you need to add the number of neutrons and protons together and superscript the number before the chemical symbol...  you are given 9 neutrons...therefore the atomic symbol is

17 O   (The 17 should be in smaller script raised above the line but I don't know how to do it on here.)

The name of this isotope would be Oxygen-17

Most elements can have several isotopes, some are not stable           ( radioactive)

Answer 2

Ok, you can check my answer but....

There are ALWAYS the same amount of protons as there are neutrons. ALWAYS! The only numbers that differ in isotopes are the electrons vs. protons. So, since the atomic number is the number of protons (or neutrons) the atomic number is 9...not 8. 8 would be the number of electrons. Now, since there are more protons than electrons, you have more of a positive charge. So that would make the answer F+1 (fluorine) and x=electrons.

Good luck!