An atom has an atomic mass of 32.06 and an atomic number of 16.

a. Determine the identity of the atom.
b. Determine the number of neutrons in the most common form of the atom.
c. Determine the number of valence electrons this atom has.

a. number 16 on the periodic table ... the number of protons in the nucleus

b. the atomic mass is neutrons and protons ... (32 - 16) means 16 neutrons

c. valence electrons is determined by the periodic table

You should know that you can look on a periodic table and answer this.

Atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus. That number is on the periodic table.
You can find the
You can find the # neutrons from
mass number = 32 = # protons + # neutrons. You have mass number and protns, solve for neutrons.
The electron configuration is 2 in first shell, 8 in second shell. So how many in the third shell. Post your work if you get stuck.

a. To determine the identity of the atom, we need to look at the atomic number, which is 16. The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom. Every atom of the same element has the same atomic number. In this case, an atomic number of 16 corresponds to the element sulfur (S).

b. To determine the number of neutrons in the most common form of the atom, we need to subtract the atomic number from the atomic mass. In this case, the atomic mass is given as 32.06. Since the atomic number is 16, the number of neutrons can be calculated as:

Number of neutrons = Atomic mass - Atomic number
Number of neutrons = 32.06 - 16
Number of neutrons = 16.06

Therefore, the most common form of this sulfur atom has 16 neutrons.

c. To determine the number of valence electrons, we need to look at the column (group) of the element in the periodic table. Sulfur (S) belongs to group 16. The elements in group 16 have six valence electrons. Therefore, the sulfur atom in question has six valence electrons.

To answer these questions, we need to understand the basic concepts of atomic mass, atomic number, and valence electrons:

a. Atomic mass represents the average mass of an atom of an element. It is usually expressed in atomic mass units (amu). Atomic number is the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which determines the element's identity.

b. Neutrons are particles found in the nucleus of an atom, and they have a mass nearly equal to that of a proton. The most common form of an atom, called an isotope, is determined by the number of neutrons.

c. Valence electrons are the outermost electrons in an atom's electron shell. They are responsible for an atom's chemical properties and interactions.

Now, let's answer the given questions:

a. To determine the identity of the atom, we need to find the element corresponding to the atomic number of 16. Consulting the periodic table, we find that the element with atomic number 16 is sulfur (S).

b. To find the number of neutrons in the most common form of the atom, we subtract the atomic number from the atomic mass. In this case, 32.06 - 16 = 16. Therefore, the most common form of the atom has 16 neutrons.

c. Determining the number of valence electrons requires knowledge of the element's position in the periodic table. In the case of sulfur (S), it is located in Group 16 (also known as Group 6A) in the periodic table. Elements in this group have six valence electrons, so sulfur also has six valence electrons.

In summary:
a. The atom with an atomic mass of 32.06 and atomic number 16 is sulfur (S).
b. The most common form of sulfur atom has 16 neutrons.
c. Sulfur (S) has six valence electrons.