What is the isotope symbol for oxygen-18?

1 Answer
Truong-Son N.
May 20, 2017

#""_8^(18) "O"#

Recall:

#""_Z^A X#

where:

  • #Z# is the atomic number, i.e. the number of protons.
  • #A# is the mass number, the number of protons plus neutrons.
  • #X# is your chemical symbol.

We know that oxygen atom is #"O"#, so knowing that there are #8# protons, the atomic number is...

#Z = 8#

and the mass number is...

#A = Z + 10 = 18#

Therefore:

#=> color(blue)(""_8^(18) "O")#

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