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The total number of neutrons in the nucleus of an atom is called the neutron number of the atom and is given the symbol N. Neutron number plus atomic number equals atomic mass number: N+Z=A. The difference between the neutron number and the atomic number is known as the neutron excess: D = N – Z = A – 2Z.
Twenty-two radioisotopes have been characterized: the most stable, 60 Co, has a half-life of 5.2714 years; Cobalt-59 is composed of 27 protons, 32 neutrons, and 27 electrons. Cobalt-60 is composed of 27 protons, 33 neutrons, and 27 electrons.
Neutrons do not have a net electric charge, so the number of neutrons does not matter in the calculation. The number of protons of an atom cannot change via any chemical reaction, so you add or subtract electrons to get the correct charge.