How to determine the mass number of an element
This chemistry question involves key chemical concepts and calculations. The detailed solution below walks through each step, from identifying the reaction type to computing the final answer.
ScanSolve AI Answer
The mass number of an element is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.
To determine the mass number:
Step 1: Find the number of protons. This is equal to the element's atomic number, which is found on the periodic table.
Step 2: Find the number of neutrons. This can be found by subtracting the atomic number (number of protons) from the atomic mass (usually given or found on the periodic table, often rounded to the nearest whole number for the most common isotope).
Step 3: Add the number of protons and neutrons together.
Mass Number = Number of Protons + Number of Neutrons