Exploring Elements and Atoms!

What elements have the same properties as potassium (K)?

Part 1: Name two elements that have the same properties as potassium (K).

Part 2: Determine the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons in an atom of magnesium (Mg). Explain how you determined your answer.

Answer:

Two elements that have the same properties as potassium are rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs). An atom of magnesium has 12 protons, 12 electrons, and 12 neutrons.

In the periodic table, elements with similar properties are often found in the same group. Elements like rubidium and cesium share similar properties to potassium as they belong to the same group.

To determine the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons in an atom of magnesium, we look at the atomic number and atomic mass of magnesium. Magnesium has an atomic number of 12, which corresponds to the number of protons and electrons in the atom. To find the number of neutrons, we subtract the atomic number from the atomic mass. Therefore, a magnesium atom has 12 protons, 12 electrons, and 12 neutrons.