nucleon number

Thân thiện

A student writes the nucleon number on the whiteboard.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The total count of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus: The nucleon number is a fundamental property of an atomic nucleus, representing the sum of its protons and neutrons. It is also commonly called the mass number.

Usage

• The nucleon number is a key identifier for different isotopes of an element.
• It is typically written as a superscript preceding the element's symbol (e.g., ¹²C, where 12 is the nucleon number for carbon).
• The nucleon number, combined with the atomic number (number of protons), defines a specific nuclide.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The nucleon number of the most common carbon atom is 12.
  • Isotopes have the same atomic number but different nucleon numbers.
  • Scientists determined the new element's nucleon number to be 294.

Advanced Usage

• "nucleon number" vs. "mass number": While often used synonymously, "mass number" is more common in general chemistry, whereas "nucleon number" emphasizes the count of nuclear particles (nucleons).
• In nuclear physics, the nucleon number is crucial for calculating nuclear binding energy and stability.

Variants and Related Words

• Mass Number (n): A synonymous term for nucleon number.
• Atomic Number (n): The number of protons in a nucleus, which defines the element.
• Nuclide (n): A species of atom characterized by its specific number of protons and neutrons (i.e., its atomic number and nucleon number).

Synonyms

• Mass number

Related Phrases

• Total nucleon count: A descriptive phrase equivalent to nucleon number.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the sum of the number of neutrons and protons in an atomic nucleus

Từ đồng nghĩa

• mass number