Question: how many protons and electrons are in the nitrate ion?
Answer: Answer. 31 neutrons, 31 protons, 32 electrons. The most common number of neutrons in a nitrogen atom is 7, and the most common number of neutrons in an oxygen atom is 8. Therefore, a nitrate ion, [NO3]⁻, has 1*7 + 3*8 = 31 neutrons, which is also its number of protons.