Step-by-step explanation:
There are few simple rules to follow.
(1) The atomic number is equal to the number of protons.
Z
= number of protons
(2) In neutrally charged elements, the number of electrons is the same as the number of protons.
Z
= number of protons = number of electrons (no charge)
Otherwise, positive charge means that the element lost an electron and negative charge means it gained an electron.
(3) The atomic mass is equal to the sum of the number of protons and number of neutrons.
A
= number of protons + number neutrons
or
A
=
Z
+ number neutrons
So if you say that
Z
= 20 and
A
= 40, then
A
=
Z
+ number neutrons
40 = 20 + number of neutrons
40 - 20 = number of neutrons
Therefore,
number of neutrons = 20