Atomic nuclei consist of positively charged protons and neutral, or uncharged, neutrons (see Neutron; Proton). The number of protons in a nucleus is also the atomic number, which defines the chemical element. All nuclei with 11 protons for example, are nuclei of sodium (Na) atoms (see Elements, Chemical). An element can have various isotopes the nuclei of which have differing numbers of neutrons (see Isotope). For example, stable sodium nuclei contain 12 neutrons, whereas those with 13 are radioactive. These isotopes are notated as ŪNa12 and ēNa13, where the left-hand subscript indicates the atomic number and the right-hand, the number of neutrons. The superscript represents the total number of nucleons, or neutrons and protons. Any species
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