Verified Answer :

19 protons



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Answer: 19 protons are present in the given isotope.

Explanation: We are given a radioactive isotope \(^{40}_{19}K\) and we need to find the number of protons in this isotope.

General representation of isotopes are given as:

\(^A_Z\textrm{X}\)

Where, Z = Atomic number = Number of protons = Number of electrons

A = Atomic Mass = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

X = Element

In the given element K, Atomic number is 19 and mass number is 40.

As Z = 19,

Number of protons in given isotope = 19.