The atomic number tells us how many protons are in the center of an atom. This number is really important because it identifies the type of element.
For example, carbon has an atomic number of 6. That means it has 6 protons.
On the other hand, the mass number is the total number of both protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
Take carbon-12, for instance. It has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, which gives it a mass number of 12.
Here are the key differences:
Atomic Number: This is the number of protons, and it tells us what element it is.
Mass Number: This is the total of protons plus neutrons.
Now, let’s talk about isotopes.
Isotopes are atoms that have the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
A good example is carbon-12 and carbon-14.
They both have 6 protons, but carbon-12 has 6 neutrons, while carbon-14 has 8 neutrons.
This difference in neutrons gives them different mass numbers, even though they are the same element!
The atomic number tells us how many protons are in the center of an atom. This number is really important because it identifies the type of element.
For example, carbon has an atomic number of 6. That means it has 6 protons.
On the other hand, the mass number is the total number of both protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
Take carbon-12, for instance. It has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, which gives it a mass number of 12.
Here are the key differences:
Atomic Number: This is the number of protons, and it tells us what element it is.
Mass Number: This is the total of protons plus neutrons.
Now, let’s talk about isotopes.
Isotopes are atoms that have the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
A good example is carbon-12 and carbon-14.
They both have 6 protons, but carbon-12 has 6 neutrons, while carbon-14 has 8 neutrons.
This difference in neutrons gives them different mass numbers, even though they are the same element!