How to Find the Mass Number of an Element?

Identify the element’s isotopes

Find the number of protons

Find the number of neutrons

Add protons and neutrons together

Use the formula: mass number = protons + neutrons

For a specific isotope, use that isotope’s proton and neutron count

For a periodic table value, note that the listed atomic mass is usually not the mass number

Round the atomic mass only if an approximate mass number is needed

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