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Lesson 1.7 · AQA Combined Science

Atomic number
and mass number

01 · Read the two numbers

What do the numbers mean?

The atomic number tells you the number of protons.

The mass number is the total number of protons + neutrons.

In this notation, the mass number goes at the top left and the atomic number at the bottom left.

Sodium: atomic number 11, mass number 23.
02 · Three rules

Count the particles

Protons = atomic number

Neutrons = mass number − atomic number

Electrons in a neutral atom = protons

Worked example: a sodium atom

Atomic number = 11. Mass number = 23.

Protons = 11Neutrons = 23 − 11 = 12Electrons = 11

Check: 11 protons + 12 neutrons = mass number 23.

Remember

Atomic number: protons.

Mass number: protons + neutrons.

Neutral atom: protons = electrons.