atomic mass number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "atomic mass number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in scientific contexts, particularly in chemistry and physics, to refer to the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Example: "The atomic mass number of carbon is 12, indicating it has 6 protons and 6 neutrons."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It has been determined experimentally that the binding energy per nucleon is a maximum of about 1.4 10−12 joule at an atomic mass number of approximately 60 that is, approximately the atomic mass number of iron.

Britannica

It has been determined experimentally that the binding energy per nucleon is a maximum of about 1.4  10−12 joule at an atomic mass number of approximately 60 that is, approximately the atomic mass number of iron.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is usual to characterize different isotopes by giving the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus a quantity called the atomic mass number.

Britannica

The results show that desorption yields increase with temperature, this dependence is small for H2 and increases with atomic mass number reaching the maximum difference of factor 3 for CO2.

Vacuum

At least 32 synthetic isotopes of yttrium have been observed, and these range in atomic mass number from 76 to 108.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

An isotope is one of two or more species of atoms of the same chemical element that have different atomic mass numbers (protons + neutrons).

Britannica

Such a slow process tends to favor isotopes with atomic mass numbers (A = protons + neutrons) around 90, 138 and 208, which have unusually stable atomic nuclei with 50, 82, and 126 neutrons, respectively.

Wikipedia

There are 32 known isotopes of astatine, with atomic masses (mass numbers) of 191 and 193 223.

Wikipedia

In our example, this is: 14 (atomic mass) – 6 (number of protons) = 8 (number of neutrons).

WikiHow

The importance of Hydrogen in coal is second only to the Carbon element, because of its minimum atomic mass, the number of atoms and Carbon elements are in the same magnitude order, and even more than Carbon elements.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

Atomic symbols are also shown with their atomic and mass numbers (Figure 9). Figure 9 Atomic symbols.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, prioritize using the more common and widely understood term "mass number" instead of "atomic mass number" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "atomic mass number" interchangeably with "atomic weight." "Atomic mass number" refers to a specific isotope, while "atomic weight" is the average mass of an element considering the natural abundance of its isotopes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "atomic mass number" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying a numerical value representing the total count of protons and neutrons within an atom's nucleus. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct, but less common than the shorter term "mass number".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "atomic mass number" is a grammatically sound term referring to the sum of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as less common than its shorter synonym, "mass number". Its primary use lies within formal scientific contexts, as evidenced by its prevalence in sources like Britannica and scientific journals. When writing, consider opting for "mass number" for better clarity and wider acceptance in the scientific community. Keep in mind the distinction between "atomic mass number" and "atomic weight", the latter representing an average across isotopes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mass number

This is a more common and concise term for the same concept.

nucleon number

This alternative emphasizes the composition of the nucleus.

nuclide number

This refers to the number of nucleons (protons and neutrons).

relative atomic mass

This term specifies that the mass is relative to a standard.

number of nucleons

This is a descriptive phrase for the total count of protons and neutrons.

atomic weight

While often used interchangeably, atomic weight is a weighted average of isotopes.

isotope number

This relates to the specific isotope of an element.

atomic mass

More generally references the mass of an atom, which can relate to a specific isotope.

baryon number

Refers to the number of baryons (protons and neutrons) in a nucleus.

atomic number

While related, this refers to the number of protons, not the total nucleons.

FAQs

What is the difference between atomic mass and "atomic mass number"?

"Atomic mass" is the mass of a specific atom, usually expressed in atomic mass units (amu), whereas "atomic mass number" refers to the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Although related, they aren't interchangeable in precise contexts.

How does "atomic mass number" relate to isotopes?

Isotopes are variants of an element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Therefore, they have the same atomic number but different "atomic mass numbers".

Is "mass number" the same as "atomic mass number"?

Yes, "mass number" is a shorter and more commonly used term for "atomic mass number". They both refer to the total count of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus.

Where can I find the "atomic mass number" of an element?

The "atomic mass number" is typically indicated as a superscript to the left of the element symbol (e.g., 12C for Carbon-12). This number represents the total number of protons and neutrons in that specific isotope.