The mass number of the xenon isotope with 80 neutrons is 134.
Understanding Isotopic Composition
An isotope refers to atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. While the atomic number (number of protons) uniquely identifies an element, the neutron count can vary, leading to different isotopes of that element. The mass number (A) represents the total number of nucleons (protons and neutrons) within an atom's nucleus.
For the specific xenon isotope with 80 neutrons, its properties can be detailed as follows:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Element | Xenon (Xe) |
| Atomic Number (Z) | 54 |
| Neutron Number (N) | 80 |
| Mass Number (A) | 134 |
| Nucleon Number (A) | 134 |
Calculating the Mass Number
The mass number (A) of any atom is determined by summing its atomic number (Z), which is the number of protons, and its neutron number (N). The fundamental formula for calculating the mass number is:
A = Z + N
For the xenon isotope in question:
- The atomic number (Z) for Xenon (Xe) is consistently 54, as all atoms of xenon have 54 protons.
- The neutron number (N) for this specific isotope is given as 80.
Using the formula:
A = 54 (protons) + 80 (neutrons)
A = 134
Therefore, the mass number of the xenon isotope with 80 neutrons is 134. This isotope is commonly known as Xenon-134 (Xe-134).
