What basic atomic properties can an atom calculator determine?

A typical atom calculator can determine fundamental properties such as: the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom; atomic mass; electron configuration; valence electrons; and sometimes isotopic composition. These calculations are based on the periodic table position and standard atomic models.

How do you calculate the number of neutrons in an atom?

To calculate the number of neutrons in an atom, subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the mass number (typically the rounded atomic mass). Formula: Neutrons = Mass Number - Atomic Number. For example, carbon-14 has 6 protons (atomic number 6) and 8 neutrons (14 - 6 = 8).

What is electron configuration and how is it calculated?

Electron configuration describes how electrons are distributed among an atom's orbitals. It follows specific rules: the Aufbau principle (electrons fill lowest energy orbitals first), Pauli exclusion principle (maximum 2 electrons per orbital with opposite spins), and Hund's rule (electrons occupy degenerate orbitals singly before pairing). Configurations are typically written using standard notation like 1s²2s²2p⁶ for neon.

How do you determine valence electrons from an atom's position on the periodic table?

For main group elements (groups 1, 2, and 13-18), the number of valence electrons equals the group number (with groups 13-18 counting as 3-8). For transition metals, it's more complex as they can have valence electrons in both s and d orbitals. The periodic table's structure makes it easy to identify valence electrons, which are crucial for understanding chemical bonding and reactivity.

What's the difference between atomic number, mass number, and atomic mass?

Atomic number (Z) is the number of protons, defining the element. Mass number (A) is the total number of protons and neutrons in a specific isotope. Atomic mass (often listed on periodic tables) is the weighted average mass of all naturally occurring isotopes, accounting for their abundance. For example, chlorine has atomic number 17, but atomic mass 35.45 amu due to isotopes Cl-35 and Cl-37.

Atom Calculator - Smart Unit Calculator

Atom Calculator

Calculate atomic properties based on proton, neutron, and electron counts

Input Atomic Components

Protons (Atomic Number) Element: Carbon

Number of protons determines the element

Neutrons Mass Number: 12

Protons + Neutrons = Mass Number

Electrons Charge: 0 (Neutral)

Electrons ≠ Protons creates ions

Common Elements

Atomic Properties

Element: Carbon

Symbol: C

Atomic Number (Z): 6

Mass Number (A): 12

Neutron Number (N): 6

                        Charge:
                        0 (Neutral)
                    

Isotope Notation

¹²C

C (Neutral Atom)

Atomic Structure

6 Protons

6 Neutrons

6 Electrons

Atomic Number (Z)

The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus. This determines the chemical element and its position in the periodic table.

Z = Number of Protons

Mass Number (A)

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom’s nucleus. Atoms of the same element with different mass numbers are called isotopes.

A = Protons + Neutrons

Charge

The net electric charge of an atom. Neutral atoms have equal protons and electrons. Ions have different numbers of protons and electrons.

Charge = Protons – Electrons

Common Examples

Carbon-12

6 protons, 6 neutrons, 6 electrons

Result: Neutral Carbon atom (¹²C)

Carbon-14

6 protons, 8 neutrons, 6 electrons

Result: Neutral Carbon isotope (¹⁴C)

Sodium Ion (Na⁺)

11 protons, 12 neutrons, 10 electrons

Result: +1 charge (²³Na⁺)

Chloride Ion (Cl⁻)

17 protons, 18 neutrons, 18 electrons

Result: -1 charge (³⁵Cl⁻)

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