mass number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mass number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in scientific contexts, particularly in chemistry and physics, to refer to the total number of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus. Example: "The mass number of carbon-12 is 12, indicating it has 6 protons and 6 neutrons."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 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

The degree of graphitization increased with the mass number of the buffer gas.

Carbon

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

Because the beta particle has negligible mass, the mass number of the nucleus has not changed, however, and is still 239.

Britannica

Nuclei consist of nucleons (neutrons and protons), the total number of which is equal to the mass number of the nucleus.

Britannica

The mass number of cosmic-ray nuclei was obtained using the data from the SOKOL-2 satellite experiment.

Advances in Space Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"They have the capability to move mass numbers of people pretty quickly," he said.

The Guardian

The mass numbers of the fragment ions were identified.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Among those efforts, he said, was the use of an automated phone dialing system to call mass numbers of students.

The New York Times

The Web site of Ranch Rescue says its mission is to "help private landowners with the repair of private property destroyed by those mass numbers of criminal trespassers".

The New York Times

Of these six isotopes, only those with mass numbers of three (helium-3, or 3He) and four (helium-4, or 4He) are stable; all the others are radioactive, decaying very rapidly into other substances.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about isotopes, always specify the element along with its "mass number of" to avoid ambiguity. For example, use "carbon-14" instead of just "an isotope".

Common error

Avoid using "atomic weight" interchangeably with "mass number". While related, atomic weight is an average of isotope masses, whereas "mass number of" refers to a specific isotope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mass number of" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a descriptor used in scientific contexts. It quantifies the total number of protons and neutrons within an atomic nucleus, and Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

23%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mass number of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term, especially within scientific and encyclopedic content. Ludwig AI confirms it’s correct and usable in written English. It serves the crucial function of specifying the total count of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus, thereby defining a particular isotope. While semantically related phrases like "atomic mass number" or "nucleon number" can be used interchangeably in some contexts, it's important to avoid confusion with "atomic weight". Remember to specify the element when using this phrase to maintain clarity and precision in scientific communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

atomic mass number

Focuses specifically on atomic mass, interchangeable in contexts related to atomic structure.

nucleon number

Synonymous in nuclear physics, referring to the total count of nucleons.

number of nucleons

Emphasizes the count of nucleons rather than the concept of a 'mass number'.

total number of protons and neutrons

Explains the components that make up the mass number in detail.

atomic weight number

Uses 'atomic weight' instead of 'mass', maintaining a similar concept.

isotope number

Focuses on identifying a specific isotope by its mass.

baryon number

Related to the number of baryons, including protons and neutrons.

nucleon count

A more concise way to refer to the number of nucleons present.

quantity of nucleons

Highlights the quantity rather than the specific terminology.

number of protons plus neutrons

Describes mass number as the sum of its components.

FAQs

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

Atomic number refers to the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, defining the element. The "mass number of" an atom is the total number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus.

How is the "mass number of" an element determined?

The "mass number of" an element is determined by adding the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of a specific isotope of that element.

What does the "mass number of" an isotope tell you?

The "mass number of" an isotope indicates the approximate mass of that particular isotope's nucleus in atomic mass units (amu). It helps distinguish between different isotopes of the same element.

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

The "mass number of" an element can be found in isotope charts or nuclear data tables. You can also deduce it if you know the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.