How is the atomic number different from atomic mass?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 6, 2018

#"The atomic number, Z,"# is the number of nuclear protons....

Explanation:

And #Z# gives the identity of the element: #"Z=1, hydrogen"#; #"Z=2, helium"#; #"Z=3, lithium"#;……….#"Z=26, iron"#....

To a first approximation, the mass number is the atomic number PLUS the number of neutrons, massive nuclear particles, that are electrically neutral. An element of given #Z# can have an envelope of isotopes due to the fact that its nucleus may support different numbers of neutrons....

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