Nuclide Notation

• What does the symbol X represent in nuclear notation?

  The symbol of the element
• What does the atomic number $(Z)$ represent in nuclear notation?


  The number of protons
• For an atom, what is the number of electrons equal to?

  The number of protons $(Z)$
• How is the mass number $(A)$ calculated?


  • Mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons
• What does the charge $(N)$ in nuclear notation represent?


  It can be positive or negative and indicates the number of electrons gained or lost by an atom
• How do metal ions form?

  They lose electrons
• How do non-metals form ions?

  They gain electrons
• What is the charge of a metal ion equal to?

  The number of electrons lost
• How many electrons do non-metals gain to form ions?

  The number of electrons required to fill their outer shell
• What can you use nuclear notation to calculate?

  • Number of protons
  • Number of neutrons
  • Number of electrons
• What is the atomic number of sodium?

  $11$
• How many protons does the sodium atom have?

  $11$
• Since the sodium atom is neutral, how many electrons does it have?

  $11$
• What is the atomic number of calcium?

  $20$
• How would you calculate the number of neutrons in the sodium atom?

  • Subtract the atomic number from the mass number: 23 - 11 = 12 neutrons
• How many protons does the calcium atom have?

  $20$
• How many electrons does the calcium atom have?

  $20$
• How would you calculate the number of neutrons in the calcium atom?

  • Subtract the atomic number from the mass number: 40 - 20 = 20 neutrons
• How does the charge of an ion affect the number of electrons?

  A positive ion loses electrons, resulting in a lower number of electrons than protons
• Since the ion has a positive charge of $+$$1,$ how many electrons does it have?


  $2$
• How would you calculate the number of neutrons in the positive ion?

  • Subtract the atomic number from the mass number: 7 - 3 = 4 neutrons
• How many protons does the negative ion have?

  $17$
• Since the ion has a negative charge of $-1,$ how many electrons does it have?


  $18$
• How would you calculate the number of neutrons in the negative ion?

  • Subtract the atomic number from the mass number: 35 - 17 = 18 neutrons
• What is the first step in writing nuclear notation?

  Find out the element's symbol
• What information do you need to write nuclear notation for an atom?

  Number of protons, number of neutrons, and number of electrons
• Where is the atomic number located in nuclear notation?

  At the bottom left
• How do you balance the number of protons and electrons in nuclear notation for an atom?

  • Make sure the number of protons equals the number of electrons
  • There is no charge if they are balanced
• What is the symbol for oxygen?

  $O$
• How do you calculate the mass number for nuclear notation?

  • Add the number of protons and the number of neutrons
• How many protons does an atom of oxygen contain?

  $8$
• How many neutrons does an atom of oxygen contain?

  $8$
• How many electrons does an atom of oxygen contain?

  $8$
• How would you write the nuclear notation for an atom of oxygen?

  • Symbol: $O$
  • Atomic number: $8$
  • Mass number: $16$
• What is the symbol for magnesium?

  $Mg$
• How many protons does an atom of magnesium contain?

  $12$
• How many electrons does an atom of magnesium contain?

  $12$
• How would you calculate the mass number for magnesium?

  • Mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons = 12 + 12 = $24$
• What is the symbol for Florine?

  $F$
• How many protons does an ion of Florine contain?

  $9$