<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 , 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 : C . 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 , 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 : C . This is technically redundant , as each element is defined by its atomic number , so it is often omitted . </P>
where is the mass number put with respect to an element symbol
where is the mass number put with respect to an element symbol
as a superscript to the left of an element 's symbol
as a superscript to the left of an element 's symbol