Chapter 15, Problem 7TE

To determine

An element that remain after the removal of two neutron and two protons from the nucleus of an oxygen $\text{-}16$ atom.

Answer to Problem 7TE

The remaining element due to removal of two protons and two neutrons from the oxygen $\text{-}16$ atom is carbon $\text{-}12$.

Explanation of Solution

The atomic number of the oxygen $\text{-}16$ atom is $8$. If the number of protons reduced by $2$, so the number of protons in the remaining element is $6$. The number of electrons will also be $6$ in the remaining element.

The summation of the protons and neutrons is same as the mass number of the element. The sum of the removed proton and neutron is $4$. The mass number of the oxygen number is $16$. If the two protons and two neutrons are removed from the oxygen-16 atom, then the mass number of the remaining atom is $12$.

The nucleus of the remaining element will have the atomic number 6 and mass number $12$, so the remaining element is ${}_6^{12}\text{C}$ and the name of the remaining element is carbon $\text{-}12$.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the remaining element due to removal of two protons and two neutrons from the oxygen $\text{-}16$ atom is carbon $\text{-}12$.