An atom is represented by symbol2314M. What does the number 23 represe...
Nucleons reside inside the nucleus and are denoted by the mass number is denoted as “A.” All atoms of a particular chemical element will have the same atomic number, number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom, but different mass numbers.
An atom is represented by symbol2314M. What does the number 23 represe...
The Mass Number
The number 23 in the symbol 2314M represents the mass number of the atom. The mass number is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the atom's nucleus. It is typically written as a superscript to the left of the atomic symbol.
Understanding the Atom's Structure
To understand why the number 23 represents the mass number, let's briefly review the structure of an atom. Atoms consist of a nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in energy levels or shells.
- Protons: Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Each proton has a mass of approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu) and carries a positive charge of +1.
- Neutrons: Neutrons are particles found in the nucleus of an atom. They have a mass similar to protons, approximately 1 amu, but carry no electrical charge.
- Electrons: Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in energy levels or shells. They have a negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons.
The Mass Number Calculation
The mass number of an atom is calculated by adding the number of protons and neutrons together. In the case of the atom represented by symbol 2314M, the number 23 represents the sum of protons and neutrons.
- Atomic Number: The atomic number of an atom, which represents the number of protons in the nucleus, is not indicated by the number 23 in this case.