An atom of chlorine-35 contains 18 neutrons (17 protons + 18 neutrons = 35 particles in the nucleus) while an atom of chlorine-37 contains 20 neutrons (17 protons + 20 neutrons = 37 particles in the nucleus). Adding or removing a neutron from an atom's nucleus creates isotopes of a particular element.
Answer: The atomic symbol is [tex]_{17}^{35}\textrm{Cl}[/tex]
Explanation:
Atomic number is defined as the number of protons or electrons that are present in a neutral atom.
Atomic number = number of protons = number of electrons
Atomic mass is defined as the sum of number of protons and neutrons that are present in an atom.
Atomic mass = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
General representation of an isotope is [tex]_Z^A\textrm{Z}[/tex]
where,
A = atomic mass
Z = atomic number
X = symbol of an atom
We are given:
Number of protons = atomic number = 17
Number of neutrons = 18
Atomic mass = 17 + 18 = 35
Hence, the atomic symbol is [tex]_{17}^{35}\textrm{Cl}[/tex]
