Question: how many protons neutrons and electrons are in a neutral atom of sodium?
Answer: Mass number We know that the atomic number of sodium is 11. This tells us that sodium has 11 protons and because it is neutral it has 11 electrons. The mass number of an element tells us the number of protons AND neutrons in an atom (the two particles that have a measurable mass). Sodium has a mass number of 23amu.