Question

For each set of atoms, identify the isotopes.

A) Isotopes have identical atomic numbers but different masses.
B) Isotopes are atoms with the same mass but different atomic numbers.
C) All atoms within a set are isotopes.
D) Isotopes cannot exist within the same set of atoms.

Answer 1

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. They have the same atomic number but different mass numbers. Isotopes of an element differ only in their atomic mass, which is given by the mass number (A), the sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that contain different numbers of neutrons. This difference in neutron amount affects the mass number (A) but not the atomic number (Z). All isotopes of an element have the same number of protons and electrons, which means they exhibit the same chemistry. The isotopes of an element differ only in their atomic mass, which is given by the mass number (A), the sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons.