- Proton number = the number of protons
- Nucleon number = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
Proton Number
- The proton number (Z) represent the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom.
- Proton number = the number of protons
- The proton number is also known as the atomic number.
- In an atom of neutral charge, the number of electrons also equals the atomic number.
- Hence, the proton number of an atom can also represent the number of electrons.
Nucleon Number
- The nucleon number (A), also called atomic mass number or mass number, is the number of protons plus the number of neutrons in an atomic nucleus. (Nucleon number = Number of protons + Number of neutrons)
- The nucleon number of an atom is about the same as the mass of the atom because the mass of an electron is very small and can be ignored.
Atom |
Proton Number |
Nucleon Number |
Amount of Proton |
Amount of Neutron |
Helium |
2 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
Oxygen |
8 |
16 |
8 |
8 |
Sodium |
11 |
23 |
11 |
12 |
Chlorine |
17 |
35 |
17 |
18 |
[Notes: In ion, the amount of protons IS NOT equal to the amount of electrons]