170k views
1 vote
What is the atomic number? what is the atomic mass (a.k.a. mass number?

User Paresh J
by
8.4k points

2 Answers

2 votes

Final answer:

The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, while the mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The atomic number (Z) is the number of protons in an atom's nucleus. It is a unique identifier for each element. For example, carbon has 6 protons, so its atomic number is 6.

The mass number (A) is the sum of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. It is denoted by a superscript before the element symbol. For example, carbon-12 has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, so its mass number is 12.

User Varad Mondkar
by
8.5k points
3 votes
is the number of protons in an atom, or the total positive charge of an atom.
User Waleed Abdalmajeed
by
7.8k points

No related questions found