Question

Which of the following statements are correct? Rewrite the incorrect statements to correct them.

a) The atomic number always equals the number of protons.
b) The atomic mass can be smaller that the atomic number.
c) The mass number of an atom can be equal to the atomic number.
d) The number of protons always equals he number of neutrons in an atom.
e) The number of protons always equals the number of electrons in an atom.
f) If the number of protons in an atom were changed, it would be a different element.

Answer 1

a) true
b) false  The atomic mass is never less than the atomic number.
c) this one is a bit tricky.  For hydrogen, the atomic mass can equal the atomic number IF you are rounding the mass to the nearest whole number. That only works for hydrogen, though
d) false  The larger the element, the more neutrons that are needed to keep the nucleus stable.
e) true
f) true