Here's the breakdown:
* Chloride ion (Cl-): This is a negatively charged atom of chlorine that has gained one electron.
* Atomic nucleus: This is the central part of an atom containing protons and neutrons.
The atomic nucleus of a chloride ion contains:
* 17 protons: This number defines the element as chlorine, as the number of protons defines the atomic number.
* 18 neutrons: The number of neutrons can vary for the same element, resulting in isotopes. The most common isotope of chlorine has 18 neutrons.
Therefore, the atomic nucleus of a chloride ion is composed of 17 protons and 18 neutrons.
It is important to note that the atomic core is not a commonly used term in chemistry. If you have encountered this term elsewhere, please provide more context so I can assist you further.
