Basic nuclear notation presents an element's chemical symbol, it's mass number, as well as the atomic number. This is seen on the Periodic Table; a chart which presents our known elements in order of atomic structure. You can utilize nuclear symbol notation to deduce the amount of protons, neutrons and electrons in atoms and ions.
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For example, if you are attempting to find the number of protons in Cobalt (Co (X)), the you would simply refer to it's atomic number (Z), as the atomic number is the number of protons in the isotope. As Cobalt-59 is most common and has an atomic number of 27, it's amount of protons is 27 as well. In order to find out the number of electrons in Cobalt, simply refer to the number of protons and you will have the number of electrons as the amount of protons in an element is equal to it's amount of electrons. In order to figure out the amount of neutrons, refer to the mass number (A). Subtract the atomic number from the mass number. Cobalt has a mass number of 58.9332 amu. 58.9332-27=31.9332. This means that, rounded, Cobalt has 32 neutrons in it's nucleus along with 27 protons, and 27 electrons in it's shells.