Question

Can mass number be less than atomic number?

   Can mass number be less than atomic number?

Conceptual Physics

Conceptual Physics

Paul G. Hewitt 12th Edition

Chapter 11, Problem 23

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Sri Datta Vikas Buchemmavari

09/18/2019

Step 1

The atomic number (Z) is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. The mass number (A) is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. Show more…

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Can mass number be less than atomic number?

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Key Concepts

Atomic Number

The atomic number is the count of protons contained in the nucleus of an atom. It fundamentally defines the identity of an element and determines its position in the periodic table, as well as many of its chemical properties.

Mass Number

The mass number represents the total number of nucleons in an atom's nucleus, consisting of both protons and neutrons. It is used to approximate the atomic mass and plays a critical role in differentiating between various isotopes of an element.

Nuclear Composition

Nuclear composition pertains to the detailed makeup of an atom's nucleus, specifically the quantities of protons and neutrons. This concept is essential for understanding how the mass number relates to the atomic number and why the number of nucleons (mass number) must account for at least the number of protons (atomic number), thereby preventing the mass number from being less than the atomic number.

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