# What is the nuclide symbol and nuclide name described by the following particle: 92 protons and 146 neutrons?

May 23, 2017

Uranium-238.

#### Explanation:

In order to find the identity of the nuclide, you need to know two things

• the atomic number of the atom
• the mass number of the atom

The atomic number, $Z$, is given by the number of protons present inside the nucleus, so you can say that your nuclide has an atomic number equal to $92$.

The mass number, $A$, is given by the number of protons and neutrons present inside the nucleus.

$\textcolor{b l u e}{\underline{\textcolor{b l a c k}{A = Z + \text{no. of neutrons}}}}$

In your case, the mass number of the nuclide is equal to

$A = 92 + 146 = 238$

Now, isotope notation makes use of the atomic number and the mass number of the nuclide.

The identity of the nuclide is given by the atomic number, so grab a periodic table and look for the element that has $Z = 92$.

This element is uranium, $\text{U}$. To write the name of the nuclide, add the mass number after the name of the element

uranium-238

Consequently, you can say that the nuclide symbol will be

$\text{_(color(white)(1)92)^238"U} \to$ uranium-238