Proton Number and Nucleon Number

Proton Number and Nucleon Number

Proton Number / Atomic Number

• Number of protons that can be found in the nucleus of an atom is the Proton Number (Atomic Number)
  • Eg. Helium has 2 protons in its nucleus, its proton number / atomic number is 2
• Proton Number is given the symbol Z
• Each element has its own unique proton number
• No two different elements have the same proton number
• Neutrons and protons have a similar mass.

Nucleon Number (Mass Number)

• The total number of protons and neutrons found in the nucleus of an atom is the Nucleon Number
• Nucleon Number is given the symbol A

Nucleon number = proton number + number

(A) = (Z) + of neutrons

Proton number and nucleon number of an element are usually written an a shorthand way where...

• the Nucleon number is above the Proton Number
• These two numbers are next to the symbol of the element...

EG.

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