Question

How many protons are in a $ ^{179}Ta $ nuclide?

Answer 1

Hint: We are already provided with the element. This question could be simply solved from atomic number concepts where we study the dependency of the number of protons, electrons and neutrons on each other. It is a part of inorganic chemistry. The number of protons is equal to the atomic number of the element.

Complete step by step answer
We already know that the number of protons is the atomic number, and the number of protons plus neutrons is the atomic mass.
And from the periodic table we already know that the atomic number of Tantalum is 73.
Well, if the element stays the same, then its proton number will always stay the same.
So, there will be 73 protons in a $ ^{179}Ta $ nuclide.
So, atomic number = number of protons=73
Thus, the number of protons in Tantalum is 73.

Additional Information
The number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom can be determined from a set of simple rules. The number of protons in the nucleus of the atom is equal to the atomic number. The number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to the number of protons.
In the case of hydrogen, the atomic mass is 1 because there is one proton and no neutrons. For helium, it is 4 which will be two protons and two neutrons.

Note
The common mistake that can be done here is in remembering the formula of dependency of proton, electron and neutron on each other. The number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom can be determined from a set of simple rules. The number of protons in the nucleus of the atom is equal to the atomic number (Z). The number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to the number of protons