PhysicsChapter 12: Nuclear Physics
Symbol
Introduction
A nuclide is commonly represented using nuclear notation: ᴬZX where: `X` = chemical symbol `A` = mass number `Z` = atomic number
Definition
Atomic Number — Z
The atomic number equals the number of protons in the nucleus. For a neutral atom, it also equals the number of electrons.
Mass Number — A
Mass number is the total number of: protons + neutrons Therefore: **A = Z + N where `N` is neutron number. So: N = A − Z**
Example
For: **²³₁₁Na** 0 1 Neutrons: **N = 23 − 11 = 12**
Isotopes
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with: same proton number `Z`; different neutron numbers; * therefore different mass numbers `A`.
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NUCLEAR SYMBOL
- ᴬZX