Mass number, atomic number and isotopes

Cards (5)

  • In an atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus. Atoms have no overall electric charge
  • All atoms of a particular element have the same number of protons. The number of protons in an atom of an element is called its atomic number.
  • The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom is called it’s mass number
  • Atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons; these atoms are called isotopes of that element
  • Atoms turn into positive ions if they lose one or more outer electrons