Write the atomic symbol for the isotope with each of the...

Write the atomic symbol for the isotope with each of the following characteristics:
a. 15 protons and 16 neutrons
b. 35 protons and 45 neutrons
c. 50 electrons and 72 neutrons
d. a chlorine atom with 18 neutrons
e. a mercury atom with 122 neutrons

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Key Concepts

Isotopes

Isotopes are variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This difference in neutron count results in different mass numbers while maintaining the same chemical properties, allowing scientists to distinguish between the various forms of an element in nuclear chemistry and applications such as radiometric dating.

Atomic Number

The atomic number is defined as the number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom. It uniquely identifies an element on the periodic table and determines the element’s position and its chemical behavior due to the arrangement of electrons.

Mass Number

The mass number is the sum of an atom’s protons and neutrons. It represents the total mass of the nucleus and is critical in distinguishing between different isotopes of the same element, as each isotope will have a distinctive mass number.

Atomic Symbol Notation

Atomic symbol notation is a standardized method for representing elements and their isotopes. Typically, the mass number is written as a superscript to the left of the chemical symbol, and the atomic number is written as a subscript. This notation succinctly conveys the fundamental nuclear properties of an atom, including its elemental identity and isotopic composition.

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