Atomic Number and

Atomic Mass

 Take note:


The number of subatomic
particles is reflected in the
atomic number and atomic
mass.
 Atomic Number

Serves as the identity of an atom
Given the symbol Z, it refers to the
number of protons in the nucleus of
each atom of an element.
In a neutral atom, the number of
protons is equal to the number of
electrons.
So, the atomic number indicates the
number of electrons in a neutral atom.
 For example

The atomic number of Carbon
is 6. This means that each
neutral carbon atom has
6 protons and 6 electrons.
 Atomic Mass

Given by the symbol A, is the total number
of neutrons and protons present in the
nucleus of an atom of an element.
All atomic nuclei contain both protons and
neutrons.
This makes an exception with hydrogen.
Hydrogen has one proton and no neutron.
 For example

The atomic mass of Carbon
is 12. This means that each
neutral carbon atom has
6 protons and 6 neutrons.
1/14/2020
 Formula

Atomic mass (A)
= # of protons + # of neutrons

Atomic mass (A)

= atomic # + # of neutrons
Example: Deuterium

A

Element
Z Symbol
 Question

How do we
determine the
number of neutrons
from A and Z?
 Isotopes

These are atoms that have the
same atomic number (Z), but
different in atomic masses (A).
 

Hydrogen
 Question

How do A and Z
change when
isotopes form?
 Sample Problem

 How many protons,
neutrons, and electrons
are there in one atom of
Calcium?


15
 CHEMICAL REACTIONS

Isotopes are formed from nuclear reactions.
The reactions may involve the nucleus of a
particle which consists of the protons and
the neutrons.
However, there are reactions that involve
only the electrons which are outside the
nucleus.
These reactions are referred to as
 CHEMICAL REACTION

During CR, the number of protons
remains the same in the atomic nucleus,
but the electrons may be lost by an atom
and gained by another.
The loss or gain of one or more electrons
leads to the formation of an atom with a
net positive or negative charge,
respectively.
 IONS
POSITIVE

These charged atoms are
NEGATIVE

generally called
CATION ANION
Representation of Atomic mass
and number of an element

and charge

A
Z X q
 Charge of an atom (q)

It is written as a superscript at
the right-hand side of the
chemical symbol.
A +1 or -1 charge is normally
written as just + or -,
respectively.
Formula of Charge (q)


q = # of protons –
# of electrons
 For example

Neutral Potassium atom (3919K)
loses an electron to form
potassium ion.
Similarly, a neutral
magnesium atom (2412Mg) loses
two electrons to form its cation.