10. Determine the protons, neutrons and electrons for potassium

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To determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in a potassium (K) atom, let's break it down step by step.

### **1. Atomic Number and Protons**
- **Atomic Number (Z)**: The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus.
- **Potassium (K)** has an atomic number of **19**.
  
  **Protons = 19**

### **2. Electrons**
- In a **neutral atom**, the number of electrons equals the number of protons.
  
  **Electrons = 19**

### **3. Neutrons**
- To find the number of neutrons, you need to know the **mass number (A)** of the specific isotope of potassium. The mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons.

- **Common Isotopes of Potassium:**
  - **Potassium-39 (K-39)**
    - **Mass Number (A)**: 39
    - **Neutrons = A - Z = 39 - 19 = 20**
  - **Potassium-40 (K-40)**
    - **Mass Number (A)**: 40
    - **Neutrons = 40 - 19 = 21**
  - **Potassium-41 (K-41)**
    - **Mass Number (A)**: 41
    - **Neutrons = 41 - 19 = 22**

- **Most Abundant Isotope:** Potassium-39 is the most common isotope of potassium, making up about **93.3%** of natural potassium.

**Neutrons (for K-39) = 20**

### **Summary for Neutral Potassium-39 Atom:**
- **Protons:** 19
- **Neutrons:** 20
- **Electrons:** 19

### **Visualization:**

```
Potassium-39 (K-39)
---------------------
Protons:   19
Neutrons:  20
Electrons: 19
```

### **Note:**
If the potassium atom is **ionized** (has lost or gained electrons), the number of electrons will change accordingly. However, the number of protons and neutrons remains constant unless the nucleus undergoes a nuclear reaction.
Potassium has 19 protons, 20 neutrons, and 19 electrons.

10. Determine the protons, neutrons and electrons for potassium

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