How many electrons does an aluminum atom have

Subject : Physics

Question:

How many electrons does an aluminum atom have?

Expert Verified Solution:

To determine how many electrons an aluminum atom has, follow these steps:

1. Identify the Atomic Number:

  • The atomic number of aluminum (Al) is 13. This number represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an aluminum atom.

2. Understand the Electron Count:

  • In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons to balance the
  • positive and negative charges.
    Therefore, an aluminum atom has 13 electrons.

3. Explanation:

  • These 13 electrons are arranged in specific energy levels or electron shells around the nucleus. For aluminum, the typical electron configuration is 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, and 3 in the third shell.
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