AZX Notation
- A nuclide is a group of atoms containing the same number of protons and neutrons
- For example, 5 atoms of oxygen are all the same nuclide but are 5 separate atoms
- Atomic symbols are written in a specific notation called nuclide or AZX notation
Atomic symbols in AZX Notation describe the constituents of nuclei
- The top number A represents the nucleon number or the mass number
- Nucleon number (A) = total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus
- The lower number Z represents the proton or atomic number
- Proton number (Z) = total number of protons in the nucleus
- Note: In Chemistry, the nucleon number is referred to as the mass number and the proton number as the atomic number. The periodic table is ordered by atomic number