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Nuclear & Radiochemistry

Nuclide

A distinct species of atom characterised by a specific number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus.

Formula / equation ᴬ_Z X
Unit Dimensionless

In depth

The term nuclide emphasises the nucleus rather than the chemical element, which is why it is preferred in nuclear science. About 250 nuclides are stable, while more than three thousand radioactive ones have been identified or synthesised.

Examples in the real world

Carbon-12 and carbon-14 are different nuclides of the same element; uranium-235 and uranium-238 likewise.