Which species or particle has 13 protons and 10 electrons associated with it?

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on interpreting atomic and ionic composition in terms of protons and electrons. Being able to deduce the identity and charge of a species from its proton and electron counts is essential in atomic structure, chemical bonding and redox chemistry. The question gives you numbers of protons and electrons and asks you to identify which species matches these values.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The species under consideration has 13 protons.
• It has 10 electrons.
• Proton number (atomic number) determines the identity of the element.
• Only electrons are gained or lost in usual chemical ion formation; proton number remains fixed.
• The options list an aluminium atom, an aluminium ion Al3+, a nitrogen isotope and none of these.

Concept / Approach:
The atomic number Z of an element equals the number of protons in its nucleus. If Z is 13, the element is aluminium. A neutral aluminium atom has 13 electrons to balance the 13 protons. When aluminium forms a cation, it commonly loses three electrons to attain a stable electronic configuration, resulting in the ion Al3+, which has 13 protons and 10 electrons. Nitrogen has atomic number 7, so any isotope of nitrogen has 7 protons, not 13. Therefore, a particle with 13 protons and 10 electrons must be the Al3+ ion.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Determine the element from the number of protons. An atomic number of 13 corresponds to aluminium. Step 2: A neutral aluminium atom would have 13 electrons to match the 13 protons, giving zero net charge. Step 3: The species described in the question has only 10 electrons, which is three fewer than a neutral atom would have. Step 4: Losing three electrons gives a net charge of plus three because there are three more protons than electrons. Step 5: An aluminium ion with charge plus three is written as Al3+, with 13 protons and 10 electrons. Step 6: Therefore, the species must be an aluminium ion Al3+.

Verification / Alternative check:
Check the other options. An aluminium atom Al has 13 protons and 13 electrons in its neutral state, which does not match the given 10 electrons. A nitrogen isotope, regardless of mass number, always has 7 protons, not 13. None of these would only be correct if no listed option matched, but Al3+ clearly does. You can also look at the electron configuration. Neutral aluminium has configuration 2, 8, 3. Removing three valence electrons leaves 2, 8, which is 10 electrons and a stable noble gas like configuration. This is precisely the configuration of Al3+.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The neutral aluminium atom cannot be correct because it would have 13 electrons. A nitrogen isotope contradicts the given proton number of 13. The generic none of these option is inappropriate because one of the options matches both the proton and electron counts perfectly. Thus these choices are inconsistent with the data given in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes confuse atomic number with mass number and may think that 13 could represent protons plus neutrons. However, the question clearly refers to protons and electrons separately. Another error is to forget that losing electrons makes an ion positively charged and reduces the electron count. To avoid mistakes, always link atomic number to element identity and remember that only electrons are exchanged in routine chemical ion formation. Calculating charge as protons minus electrons helps verify which ion is being described.

Final Answer:
A particle with 13 protons and 10 electrons is the aluminium ion Al3+.