The isotope of uranium used in nuclear power plants is ^{235}_{92}U How many protons, neutrons, and electrons does an atom of ^{235}_{92}U have?
STRATEGY
The atomic number (subscript 92) in the symbol ^{235}_{92}U indicates the number of protons and electrons in the atom. The number of neutrons is the difference between the mass number (superscript 235) and the atomic number (92).
An atom of ^{235}_{92}U has 92 protons, 92 electrons, and 235 – 92 = 143 neutrons.