The notation [tex]\({ }^{59}{ }_{27} \text{Co}\)[/tex] is a way to represent a specific isotope of the element cobalt. To understand what the number 59 represents in this notation, let's break it down step-by-step:
1. Symbol [tex]\( \text{Co} \)[/tex]: This indicates the chemical element, which is cobalt in this case. Cobalt is a transition metal with the atomic number 27.
2. Subscript (Lower number) [tex]\( 27 \)[/tex]: This is the atomic number of cobalt. The atomic number tells us the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of cobalt. In this case, every atom of cobalt has 27 protons.
3. Superscript (Upper number) [tex]\( 59 \)[/tex]: This is the mass number of the isotope. The mass number is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of the atom.
To identify what 59 represents:
- The mass number is equal to the total number of protons and neutrons.
- Therefore, 59 represents the combined total of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of this specific cobalt isotope.
Hence, in the symbol [tex]\({ }^{59}{ }_{27}\text{Co}\)[/tex], the number 59 signifies the mass number, which is the sum of the protons and neutrons found in the nucleus of the cobalt atom.
