A nucleus can be read as a count ledger: mass number is the total of protons and neutrons, while proton number sets the element. The split is exact for the stated isotope model; real isotope identification relies on detector signals, mass measurements, and calibration chains with finite uncertainty.

A nucleus identity begins as an exact count ledger. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

Mass number splits into proton and neutron counts

A training nucleus with mass number 14 and proton number 6 has neutron count 8.

14=6+814=6+8
Nucleus count ledgerThe displayed A, Z, and N values are checked.A=14Z=6N=8

The element label is the proton count

The proton count 6 identifies the element in this training ledger.

Z=6Z=6
Proton count identityThis is a count ledger, not a nuclear database.A=14Z=6N=8