Multiple Choice
Which subatomic particle determines the identity of an element?
2. Atoms & Elements
Isotopes
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Which of the following statements about isotopes is true?
A
Isotopes of an element have different atomic numbers.
B
Isotopes of an element have the same mass number.
C
Isotopes of an element have different chemical properties.
D
Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Recall that the atomic number of an element is defined by the number of protons in its nucleus. Since isotopes have the same number of protons, they have the same atomic number.
Recognize that the mass number of an isotope is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Since isotopes have different numbers of neutrons, they have different mass numbers.
Consider the chemical properties of isotopes. Isotopes of an element generally have the same chemical properties because they have the same electronic configuration, which determines chemical behavior.
Conclude that the true statement about isotopes is that they have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, which affects their mass number but not their chemical properties.
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