Final answer:
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
Step-by-step explanation:
An isotope is defined as an atom that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons compared to other atoms of the same element. Atoms of an element always share the same atomic number, which is determined by the number of protons. However, the number of neutrons can vary, leading to different isotopes of that element.
For example, the element carbon always contains six protons. Standard carbon, known as carbon-12, has six neutrons. However, other isotopes such as carbon-13 and carbon-14 have seven and eight neutrons, respectively. Although they have different numbers of neutrons, these isotopes of carbon maintain the same chemical properties because they contain the same number of protons and electrons.
The isotope's mass number (A), which is the sum of its protons and neutrons, is what changes between isotopes. Thus, isotopes have the same atomic number (Z), but different mass numbers (A).