Question

________ are atoms with the same number of protons and varying number of neutrons.

A) Isomers
B) Isosceles
C) Isotopes
D) Epitopes
E) Haplotypes

Answer 1

Isotopes are atoms with the same number of protons and varying number of neutrons (Option B).

Step-by-step explanation:

Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, which results in different mass numbers for each isotope. The term originates from the Greek words isos meaning 'same' and topos meaning 'place', indicating that isotopes occupy the same place on the periodic table. All isotopes of an element have the same atomic number (Z), but they have different mass numbers (A) due to the difference in the number of neutrons.

For example, carbon atoms always have six protons, thereby having the atomic number 6, but they can have six, seven, or eight neutrons, resulting in isotopes with mass numbers of 12, 13, and 14 respectively.

Thus, the correct option is B.