Final answer:
To find the number of neutrons using a nuclide symbol, subtract the atomic number from the mass number. The atomic number is the subscript and the mass number is the superscript next to an element's symbol. For instance, in carbon-14, this calculation would be 14 - 6 = 8 neutrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the number of neutrons in an atom from a nuclide symbol, you need to subtract the atomic number from the mass number. The atomic number represents the number of protons, and it's often found as a subscript next to the symbol of an element.
On the other hand, the mass number, which can be found as a superscript next to the element's symbol, indicates the total number of protons and neutrons. For instance, if we take carbon-14 (14C), with an atomic number of 6, the number of neutrons is calculated by 14 - 6 = 8.
Particularly, elements have their own specific atomic number and mass number which determine their characteristic number of protons and neutrons respectively. With an understanding of these values, one can easily determine the neutron count of different isotopes of an element. For example, in chromium with a nuclide symbol of 52Cr, where the atomic number (number of protons) is 24, the neutron count is 52 - 24 = 28 neutrons.