Cobalt (Co) has an atomic mass of 59 and an atomic number of 27. Which statement correctly describes an atom of cobalt?

A. An atom of cobalt contains more neutrons than protons.
B. An atom of cobalt contains more electrons than protons.
C. An atom of cobalt contains the same number of neutrons and protons.
D. An atom of cobalt contains the same number of neutrons, electrons and protons.

27 us the number of protons when we subtract 27 from 59 it will be 32 because a mass number is the sum of proton and neutron but tell u more on the comment

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roarstaze14 roarstaze14 · Answer 2 · 2022-08-16T06:22:55+02:00

Answer: A - An atom of cobalt contains more neutrons than protons.

Explanation: The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom. The atomic mass is the sum of protons & neutrons in an atom. So, with simple math we can figure out the number of neutrons. Total 59 - 27 protons = 32 neutrons. Which means that A is the only right answer in this case.

Little Extra: A & B would both be correct if Cobalt was a negatively charged ion. An atom is an ion if it is charged, and an ion is either negatively charged or positively charged. For example, if Cobalt had 27 protons & 26 electrons it's overall charge would be positive since it has more protons than electrons. And it would be negatively charged if Cobalt had 27 protons & 28 electrons. No charge if there are 27 protons & 27 electrons because proton +1 and electron -1. Imagine 27-27=0 no charge, 27-26= +1 charge, 27-28= -1 charge

I hope this made you smarter.