Arrange the following elements in order of their number of neutrons, beginning from less to more:
(A) Nitrogen
(B) Silicon
(C) Beryllium
(D) Fluorine
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (C), (A), (D), (B)
The nucleus holds protons and neutrons, so number of neutrons = mass number − atomic number. The mass numbers below are those of each element’s common isotope.
(C) Beryllium — atomic number 4, mass number 9: \(9-4=5\) neutrons
(A) Nitrogen — atomic number 7, mass number 14: \(14-7=7\) neutrons
(D) Fluorine — atomic number 9, mass number 19: \(19-9=10\) neutrons
(B) Silicon — atomic number 14, mass number 28: \(28-14=14\) neutrons