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Bromine exists naturally as a mixture of bromine-79 and bromine-81 isotopes. An atom of bromine-79 contains

  • A. 35 protons, 44 neutrons, 35 electrons
  • B. 34 protons and 35 electrons, only
  • C. 44 protons, 44 electrons, and 35 neutrons
  • D. 35 protons, 79 neutrons, and 35 electrons
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because Bromine-79 has an atomic number of 35, indicating the number of protons. Neutrons are calculated by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number, so Bromine-79 with a mass number of 79 has 44 neutrons. Electrons are equal to the number of protons in a neutral atom, so there are 35 electrons in an atom of Bromine-79.

Choice B is incorrect because it does not account for the correct number of neutrons present in Bromine-79. Choice C is incorrect as it has an incorrect number of protons and electrons for Bromine-79. Choice D is incorrect as it incorrectly assigns 79 neutrons to Bromine-79, which is the total mass number, not the number of neutrons.