To find the correct symbol for an isotope with 14 protons and 15 neutrons, we first need to understand what these numbers represent. The number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number and therefore its identity as an element. For an element with 14 protons, we are looking at silicon (Si), since silicon has an atomic number of 14.
Next, we find the mass number of the isotope. The mass number is calculated by adding the number of protons and neutrons together. In this case, we have:
Mass number = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
Mass number = 14 (protons) + 15 (neutrons) = 29
Now that we have the mass number (29) and we know the element (silicon), we can represent the isotope symbolically as:
¹²⁹Si or Si-29.
Now, looking at the options provided:
- a) 15 14 Si
- b) 29 14 P
- c) 30 15 P
- d) 29 14 Si
- e) 29 15 P
The correct answer is option d) 29 14 Si, which correctly shows silicon with a mass number of 29.