Understanding Atomic and Mass Numbers

Questions and Answers

Number of protons

Protons + Neutrons

Proton

The number of protons in an atom Signup and view all the answers

Different atoms of the same element can have varying numbers of neutrons Signup and view all the answers

Atoms with different numbers of protons and neutrons that add to the same total atomic mass Signup and view all the answers

Atomic mass considers the weighted average of all isotopes, while mass number refers to a single atom Signup and view all the answers

Proton Signup and view all the answers

Atomic number Signup and view all the answers

They have different mass numbers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Electrons travel in orbitals outside the atom nucleus, while neutrons and protons reside in the nucleus.
Protons have a positive charge and an atomic mass of one amu, while neutrons have no charge and the same atomic mass as protons.
Atoms have an atomic number which can be found on the periodic table, representing the number of protons in the nucleus.
An element's atomic number determines its position on the periodic table.
The mass number of an atom is the sum of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element having different numbers of neutrons, leading to distinct mass numbers.
The number of neutrons cannot be determined from the atomic number alone; it requires additional knowledge or experimentation.
An element's identity is based on its atomic number and the number of neutrons can be derived from the mass number.
Atomic number and mass number are related but distinct properties of an atom, with atomic number being a fundamental property that determines an element's identity.