Argon has 18 protons.
18 neutrons.
18 electrons.
It also happens to be the 18th element in the Periodic Table of Elements.
See the connection.
That's right. The placement of an element corresponds to the number of protons in that atom. The number of protons, neutrons, and electrons are equal for atoms. Ions have unbalanced quantities of neutrons and electrons. This effects acidity. (It also, I think, affects magnetism).
Anyways.
Argon is blue on the Periodic Table at the back of my agenda.
Although I picture it green.
It is number 18. It has 18 protons, as I've already stated (and thus 18 everything else). It has an atomic mass of 39.95. No ionic charge. It's abbreviation is Ar.
By the way, protons and neutrons (protons are positive, neutrons are negative. pp, nn, you know?) are the ones clustered in the middle. Ions with more neutrons are negatively charged (thus acidic). Ones with more protons form bases (would that be basic? I have no idea...) and are positively charged.
Electrons are the zoomy things on the outside.
I'm sure I got something confused, in that explanation. Please email a correction!
~Julia
