How to Use the Atom Calculator
Calculate subatomic particles for any neutral atom or charged ion:
Enter Atomic Number (Z)
Input the element's atomic number Z (number of protons).
Enter Mass Number (A)
Input total nucleons (protons + neutrons) for the specific isotope.
Specify Ionic Charge
Set 0 for neutral atom, positive for cations, negative for anions.
View Results
Get instant proton, neutron, and electron counts with nuclear notation.
Key Features & Atomic Principles
All 118 Elements Supported
Includes element symbol lookup from Hydrogen (Z=1) to Oganesson (Z=118).
Isotope Notation Generator
Displays standard nuclear A/Z X charge symbol notation.
Cation & Anion Support
Computes electron adjustments for multi-valent ionization states.
Chemistry Guide: Understanding Subatomic Particles
An atom is the fundamental building block of matter composed of three subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons carry a positive electrical charge (+1 e) and define the chemical identity of the element via its atomic number (Z).
Neutrons carry no electric charge and reside alongside protons in the dense central atomic nucleus. The sum of protons and neutrons determines the isotope's mass number (A = Z + N). Electrons orbit the nucleus in quantum energy shells and determine chemical reactivity and bonding.
Frequently Asked Questions
?What are isotopes?
Isotopes are variants of the same chemical element that have the same number of protons (Z) but differing numbers of neutrons (N), resulting in different mass numbers (A).