about are summarized in Figure 4-16.

The number of neutrons in an iso-

tope can be calculated from the atomic number and mass number.

Number of neutrons ! mass number " atomic number

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 4–2

Using Atomic Number and Mass Number Isotope Composition Data
A chemistry laboratory has analyzed the composition of isotopes of sev- Atomic Mass
Element
eral elements. The composition data is given in the table at the right. number number
Data for one of neon’s three isotopes is given in the table. Determine the
a. Neon 10 22
number of protons, electrons, and neutrons in the isotope of neon. Name
the isotope and give its symbol. b. Calcium 20 46

1. Analyze the Problem c. Oxygen 8 17

You are given some data for neon in the table. The symbol for neon d. Iron 26 57
can be found from the periodic table. From the atomic number, the
number of protons and electrons in the isotope are known. The num- e. Zinc 30 64
ber of neutrons in the isotope can be found by subtracting the atomic f. Mercury 80 204
number from the mass number.
Known Unknown
Element: neon Number of protons,
Atomic number ! 10 electrons, and neutrons ! ?
Mass number ! 22 Name of isotope ! ?
Symbol for isotope ! ?

2. Solve for the Unknown

The number of protons equals the number of electrons which equals
the atomic number.
Number of protons ! number of electrons = atomic number ! 10

Use the atomic number and the mass number to calculate the number
of neutrons.
Number of neutrons ! mass number " atomic number
Number of neutrons ! 22 " 10 ! 12
Use the element name and mass number to write the isotope’s name.
neon-22

Use the chemical symbol, mass number, and atomic number to write
out the isotope in symbolic notation form.
22
10 Ne

3. Evaluate the Answer

The relationships among number of electrons, protons, and neutrons
have been applied correctly. The isotope’s name and symbol are in
the correct format.

e!
PRACTICE PROBLEM Practic For more practice with
problems using atomic
14. Determine the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons for iso- number and mass
topes b. through f. in the table above. Name each isotope, and write number, go to
its symbol. Supplemental Practice
Problems in Appendix A.

4.3 How Atoms Differ 101