Reading Element Symbols

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Each element on the Periodic Table of Elements as its own unique symbol. The number in the left hand corner is called the atomic number. The atomic number represents the number of protons in the nucleus and the number of electrons in the electron cloud or shell if it is balanced. The atomic mass is the combined mass of all the protons and neutrons in the nucleus. To find the number of neutrons subtract the atomic mass by the atomic number to get the number of neutrons. Below the element symbol is the element name.