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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements describes an isotope?
A
Atoms of different elements with the same number of protons.
B
Atoms of different elements with the same atomic mass.
C
Atoms of the same element with different numbers of electrons.
D
Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the concept of isotopes. Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Recall that the number of protons in an atom defines the element. Therefore, isotopes must be atoms of the same element.
Consider the atomic mass of an element, which is influenced by both protons and neutrons. Isotopes have different atomic masses due to the variation in the number of neutrons.
Different elements cannot be isotopes of each other because they have different numbers of protons. Isotopes must be of the same element.
Electrons do not define isotopes. Variations in electron numbers lead to ions, not isotopes. Therefore, the correct description of an isotope is atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.