92.9k views
5 votes
Pick the answer that best answers the question.

An Oxygen atom has 8 protons and 8 neutrons. If an extra neutron is gained for a total of 9 neutrons, what can be said about our atom?
(a) the atom's identity has changed and can no longer be called oxygen
(b) the altered atom is an isotope of oxygen
(c) the nucleus must gain an extra proton to balance the change
(d) the atom must gain an extra electron in order to maintain its identity

User Hanu
by
5.9k points

1 Answer

5 votes

The answer is: (b) the altered atom is an isotope of oxygen.


An isotope is a form of an element that contains a different number of neutrons, as the oxygen atom in this scenario does.


Hope this helps!!

User Apoorv
by
5.6k points