Atomic numbers and mass numbers Atoms of each element have a specific number of protons, neutrons and electrons. The atomic number is the number of protons in the atom of that element.
The number of protons is equal to the number of electrons in neutral atoms. They are neutral because the number of positive charges (protons) and the number of negative charges (electrons) are equal.
The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom. CONCENTRATE!
The smaller number of the two is always the atomic number. For example, Fig. 16.5 tells us the following information about an atom of lithium: Mass number
Lithium 7
Li Atomic number 3 : Fig. 16.5 The atomic number and mass number of lithium • Lithium has 3 protons.
• Lithium has 3 electrons (the positive and the negative charges are equal, so if lithium has 3 protons it must have 3 electrons).
• The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom of lithium is 7.
• Lithium has 4 neutrons. To calculate the number of neutrons in an atom, you need to subtract the atomic number (for lithium, this is 3) from the mass number (for lithium, this is 7).
? TEST TUBE
7. Explain the difference between the atomic number and the mass number of an element. 8. Copy the table below and use the periodic table to complete it: