How many protons, neutrons, and electrons are in Amethyst?

1 Answer
zhirou
Feb 25, 2018

30 protons, 30 neutrons, and 30 electrons in 1 molecule.

Explanation:

Pure amethyst is a variety of quartz, also known as silicon dioxide, which has the formula SiO_2.
So, the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in 1 molecule of amethyst would be the sum of the protons, neutrons, and electrons for 1 atom of silicon and 2 atoms of oxygen.

1 atom of silicon has 14 protons, 14 neutrons (in its most abundant isotope, "silicon-14"), and 14 electrons.

1 atom of oxygen has 8 protons, 8 neutrons (in its most stable isotope, "oxygen-16"), and 8 electrons.

So, 1 molecule of SiO_2 would have 14+2xx8=30 protons, 14+2xx8=30 neutrons, and 14+2xx8=30 electrons.

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