Answer to Question #140307 in General Chemistry for Meena

Question

A young chemist believes that they have discovered a new element with an atomic number of 18.5. The next day at lab meeting, you have to unfortunately explain to them why that is impossible.

Answer 1

This is impossible because the atomic number of this new element is in decimal form (18.5) and neutrons can not be expressed in point form since half neutrons do not exists.