<P> The mass number is written either after the element name or as a superscript to the left of an element 's symbol . For example , the most common isotope of carbon is carbon - 12 , or 12 , which has 6 protons and 6 neutrons . The full isotope symbol would also have the atomic number ( Z ) as a subscript to the left of the element symbol directly below the mass number : 12 6C . This is technically redundant , as each element is defined by its atomic number , so it is often omitted . </P>
<P> The mass number is written either after the element name or as a superscript to the left of an element 's symbol . For example , the most common isotope of carbon is carbon - 12 , or 12 , which has 6 protons and 6 neutrons . The full isotope symbol would also have the atomic number ( Z ) as a subscript to the left of the element symbol directly below the mass number : 12 6C . This is technically redundant , as each element is defined by its atomic number , so it is often omitted . </P>
where does the mass number go in isotopic notation
where does the mass number go in isotopic notation
either after the element name or as a superscript to the left of an element 's symbol
either after the element name or as a superscript to the left of an element 's symbol