Mass number equals the sum of which particles?

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Multiple Choice

Mass number equals the sum of which particles?

Explanation:
Mass number is the total count of particles in the nucleus—the protons plus the neutrons. It captures how many nucleons the nucleus contains, and electrons don’t contribute to this count because they reside outside the nucleus and have negligible mass compared to nucleons. So, the mass number equals protons plus neutrons. For example, carbon-12 has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, giving a mass number of 12. Hydrogen-1 has 1 proton and 0 neutrons, giving a mass number of 1. The other options mix in electrons or use a non-mass operation, which isn’t how mass number is defined.

Mass number is the total count of particles in the nucleus—the protons plus the neutrons. It captures how many nucleons the nucleus contains, and electrons don’t contribute to this count because they reside outside the nucleus and have negligible mass compared to nucleons. So, the mass number equals protons plus neutrons. For example, carbon-12 has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, giving a mass number of 12. Hydrogen-1 has 1 proton and 0 neutrons, giving a mass number of 1. The other options mix in electrons or use a non-mass operation, which isn’t how mass number is defined.

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