38. Which element has 31 electrons in each neutral atom?
Answer: A
Gallium (Ga) has 31 electrons in each neutral atom.
Gallium is the element that possesses 31 electrons in its neutral state, corresponding to its atomic number.
A) Gallium (Ga)
Gallium has an atomic number of 31, which means that in a neutral atom, it has 31 electrons. This directly aligns with the question regarding the element with 31 electrons.
B) Neon (Ne)
Neon has an atomic number of 10, indicating that it contains only 10 electrons in its neutral state. Therefore, it does not meet the criteria of having 31 electrons.
C) Aluminum (Al)
Aluminum has an atomic number of 13, which means it has 13 electrons in its neutral state. This is significantly fewer than 31, making it an incorrect choice for the question.
D) Hydrogen (H)
Hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, and thus it has only 1 electron in its neutral state. Like aluminum and neon, it does not satisfy the requirement of having 31 electrons.
Conclusion
Gallium is definitively the correct answer as it is the only element listed with an atomic number of 31, indicating it has 31 electrons in its neutral form. All other options, including neon, aluminum, and hydrogen, fall short of the required electron count, confirming that they are incorrect.