Answer :
Final answer:
An atom of the most common isotope of gold, 197 Au, has 79 protons, 118 neutrons, and 79 electrons. Therefore, the correct answar is C) 79, 118, 79
Explanation:
An atom of the most common isotope of gold, 197 Au, has 79 protons, 118 neutrons, and 79 electrons. This is because the atomic number of gold, which indicates the number of protons in the nucleus, is 79.
The mass number of the isotope is the sum of its protons and neutrons, which is 197 (79 protons + 118 neutrons). Since atoms are electrically neutral, the number of electrons equals the number of protons.
100% of gold found naturally is isotope Au-197. 28 other isotopes can be produced artificially and are all radioactive. Gold along with silver and copper, form a column in the periodic table.
They are found naturally and were the first three elements known to man.
