specify atomic number. Define mass number. Identify the variety of protons, neutrons, and also electrons in an atom.

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It"s crucial to be able to distinguish atom of one facet from atoms of one more element. Elements are pure building materials that make up all other matter, so every one is provided a distinctive name. The name of facets are likewise represented by distinct one- or two-letter symbols, such as $$\ceH$$ for hydrogen, $$\ceC$$ for carbon, or $$\ceHe$$ for helium. However, it would an ext powerful if this names might be used to determine the number of protons and also neutrons in the atoms. That"s whereby atomic number and mass numberare useful.

Figure $$\PageIndex1$$: the is challenging to find attributes that differ between each element, and to differentiate one aspect from another. Every element, however, does have a unique variety of protons. Sulfur has 16 protons, silicon has actually 14 protons, and also gold has actually 79 protons. Pictures used through permission (public domain for sulfur and also silicon, gold is licensed by CC-BY-SA-NC-ND; Alkeolistravelservices.comist-hp).

## Atomic Number

Scientists distinguish in between different elements by count the number of protons in the cell core (Table $$\PageIndex1$$). If one atom has only one proton, we understand that it"s a hydrogen atom. An atom with two proton is always a helium atom. If researchers count 4 protons in an atom, they recognize it"s a beryllium atom. One atom with 3 protons is a lithium atom, an atom with five protons is a boron atom, an atom with six protons is a carbon atom . . . The list goes on.

Since an atom that one aspect can be identified from one atom of an additional element by the variety of protons in the nucleus, scientists are constantly interested in this number, and how this number differs in between different elements. The variety of protons in one atom is referred to as its atomic number ($$Z$$). This number is very important since it is distinct for atoms of a provided element. Every atoms of an facet have the same variety of protons, and also every aspect has a different variety of protons in that atoms. For example, every helium atoms have actually two protons, and no other aspects have atoms v two protons.

NameProtonsNeutronsElectronsAtomic Number (Z)Mass Number(A) Table $$\PageIndex1$$: atoms of the an initial Six facets
Hydrogen 1 0 1 1 1
Helium 2 2 2 2 4
Lithium 3 4 3 3 7
Beryllium 4 5 4 4 9
Boron 5 6 5 5 11
Carbon 6 6 6 6 12

Of course, due to the fact that neutral atoms have to have one electron for every proton, an element"s atom number likewise tells girlfriend how plenty of electrons room in a neutral atom of that element. Because that example, hydrogen has actually an atomic number of 1. This way that one atom that hydrogen has one proton, and, if it"s neutral, one electron together well. Gold, on the various other hand, has an atomic variety of 79, which method that an atom that gold has 79 protons, and, if it"s neutral, 79 electrons as well.

## Mass Number

The mass number ($$A$$) of one atom is the total number of protons and also neutrons in that nucleus. The massive of the atom is a unit dubbed the atomic mass unit $$\left( \textamu \right)$$. One atomic mass unit is the fixed of a proton, or about $$1.67 \times 10^-27$$ kilograms, i beg your pardon is one extremely tiny mass. A neutron has just a tiny bit much more mass 보다 a proton, however its fixed is often assumed to it is in one atomic mass unit together well. Due to the fact that electrons have actually virtually no mass, just about all the massive of one atom is in its protons and also neutrons. Therefore, the total variety of protons and neutrons in an atom identify its massive in atom mass units (Table $$\PageIndex1$$).

Consider helium again. Many helium atoms have two neutrons in enhancement to two protons. Thus the mass of most helium atoms is 4 atom mass units ($$2 \: \textamu$$ because that the proton + $$2 \: \textamu$$ for the neutrons). However, some helium atoms have an ext or much less than 2 neutrons. Atoms v the same number of protons but different number of neutrons are called isotopes. Due to the fact that the variety of neutrons deserve to vary for a provided element, the mass number of various atoms that an element may additionally vary. Because that example, part helium atoms have actually three neutrons instead of two (these are called isotopes and are questioned in information later on).

Why carry out you think that the "mass number" consists of protons and neutrons, yet not electrons? You understand that many of the mass of an atom is focused in that nucleus. The massive of one atom depends on the number of protons and neutrons. Friend have already learned the the mass of an electron is very, very small compared come the mass of either a proton or a ghost (like the fixed of a penny compared to the fixed of a bowling ball). Counting the variety of protons and neutrons speak scientists about the complete mass of an atom.

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\<\textmass number \: A = \left( \textnumber the protons \right) + \left( \textnumber that neutrons \right)\>

An atom"s mass number is very easy to calculate, listed that you understand the number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Example 4.5.1

What is the mass variety of an atom the helium that has 2 neutrons?

Solution

$$\left( \textnumber the protons \right) = 2$$ (Remember the an atom that helium always has 2 protons.)

$$\left( \textnumber of neutrons \right) = 2$$

$$\textmass number = \left( \textnumber of protons \right) + \left( \textnumber of neutrons \right)$$