Science, Tech, Math › Science Nuclear Structure and Isotopes Practice Test Questions Protons, Neutrons and Electrons in an Atom Share Flipboard Email Print Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Facebook Twitter Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on June 09, 2018 Elements are identified by the number of protons in their nucleus. The number of neutrons in an atom's nucleus identifies the particular isotope of an element. The charge of an ion is the difference between the number of protons and electrons in an atom. Ions with more protons than electrons are positively charged and ions with more electrons than protons are negatively charged. This ten question practice test will test your knowledge of the structure of atoms, isotopes and monatomic ions. You should be able to assign the correct number of protons, neutrons and electrons to an atom and determine the element associated with these numbers. This test makes frequent use of the notation format ZXQA where:Z = total number of nucleons (sum of number of protons and number of neutrons)X = element symbolQ = charge of ion. The charges are expressed as multiples of the charge of an electron. Ions with no net charge are left blank.A = number of protons. You may wish to review this subject by reading the following articles. Basic Model of the Atom Isotopes and Nuclear Symbols Worked Example Problem #1 Isotopes and Nuclear Symbols Worked Example Problem #2 Protons and Electrons in Ions Example Problem A periodic table with atomic numbers listed will be useful to answer these questions. Answers to each question appear at the end of the test. 01 of 12 Question 1 If you are given a nuclear symbol, you can find the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom or ion. alengo / Getty Images The element X in the atom 33X16 is: (a) O - Oxygen(b) S - Sulfur(c) As - Arsenic(d) In - Indium 02 of 12 Question 2 The element X in the atom 108X47 is: (a) V - Vanadium(b) Cu - Copper(c) Ag - Silver(d) Hs - Hassium 03 of 12 Question 3 What is the total number of protons and neutrons in the element 73Ge? (a) 73(b) 32(c) 41(d) 105 04 of 12 Question 4 What is the total number of protons and neutrons in the element 35Cl-? (d) 35 05 of 12 Question 5 How many neutrons are in the isotope of zinc: 65Zn30? (a) 30 neutrons(b) 35 neutrons(c) 65 neutrons(d) 95 neutrons 06 of 12 Question 6 How many neutrons are in the isotope of barium: 137Ba56? (a) 56 neutrons(b) 81 neutrons(c) 137 neutrons(d) 193 neutrons 07 of 12 Question 7 How many electrons are in an atom of 85Rb37? (a) 37 electrons(b) 48 electrons(c) 85 electrons(d) 122 electrons 08 of 12 Question 8 How many electrons in the ion 27Al3+13? (a) 3 electrons(b) 13 electrons(c) 27 electrons(d) 10 electrons 09 of 12 Question 9 An ion of 32S16 is found to have a charge of -2. How many electrons does this ion have? (a) 32 electrons(b) 30 electrons(c) 18 electrons(d) 16 electrons 10 of 12 Question 10 An ion of 80Br35 is found to have a charge of 5+. How many electrons does this ion have? (a) 30 electrons(b) 35 electrons(c) 40 electrons(d) 75 electrons 11 of 12 Answers 1. (b) S - Sulfur2. (c) Ag - Silver3. (a) 734. (d) 355. (b) 35 neutrons6. (b) 81 neutrons7. (a) 37 electrons8. (d) 10 electrons9. (c) 18 electrons10. (a) 30 electrons 12 of 12 Key Takeaways Isotope symbols of atoms and atomic ions are written using a one or two-letter element symbol, numerical superscripts, numerical subscripts (sometimes), and a superscript to indicate whether the net charge is positive (+) or negative (-).The subscript gives the number of protons in the atom or its atomic number. Sometimes the subscript is omitted because the element symbol indirectly indicates the number of protons. For example, a helium atom always contains two protons, regardless of its electrical charge or isotope.The subscript may be written either before or after the element symbol.The superscript cites the number of protons and neutrons in the atom (its isotope). The number of neutrons may be calculated by subtracting the atomic number (protons) from this value.Another way to write the isotope is to give the element name or symbol, followed by a number. For example, carbon-14 is the name for a carbon atom that contains 6 protons and 8 neutrons.A superscript with a + or - after the element symbol gives the ionic charge. If there is no number, that charge is 1. The number of electrons can be determined by comparing this value with the atomic number. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Nuclear Structure and Isotopes Practice Test Questions." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/nuclear-structure-and-isotopes-practice-test-questions-604127. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 26). Nuclear Structure and Isotopes Practice Test Questions. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/nuclear-structure-and-isotopes-practice-test-questions-604127 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Nuclear Structure and Isotopes Practice Test Questions." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/nuclear-structure-and-isotopes-practice-test-questions-604127 (accessed March 21, 2023). copy citation Watch Now: How to Assign Oxidation Numbers