Atomic Mass
Atomic Number (A) Number of protons in the nucleus Atoms of the same element all have the same number of protons In a neutral atom, the total number of protons is equal to the total number of electrons
Mass Number (Z) Total number of protons and neutrons in nucleus Electrons are so small, there mass is insignificant to the atomic mass
Example How many protons, neutrons, and electrons in 1) 3 H 2) 235 U 3)carbon-12 4) magnessium 5) 41 Ca 2+ 6) 81 Br -
Isotopes Atomic masses can be different for atoms of the same element if they have different numbers of neutrons Atoms with different masses are called Isotopes or Nuclides