Atom A- 6 protons, 6 electrons, 7 neutrons
Atom D- 6 protons, 6 electrons, 8 neutrons
Atom X- 7 protons, 7 electrons, 8 neutrons
Atom Z- 8 protons, 8 electrons, 9 neutrons
Which two atoms are isotopes of the same element?
a. A and D
b. A and Z
c. X and D
d. X and Z
How am I supposed to figure this out?
An isotope has the same number of protons as the original element, but different number of neutrons.
I think the answer is A because atomA and atomD have the same number of protons and a different number of neutrons.
Moises is correct. The answer is a. A and D are isotopes.
thanks
To figure out which two atoms are isotopes of the same element, you need to understand what isotopes are. Isotopes are different forms of an element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
In this case, we are given information about the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons for four different atoms: A, D, X, and Z.
Atom A has 6 protons, 6 electrons, and 7 neutrons.
Atom D has 6 protons, 6 electrons, and 8 neutrons.
Atom X has 7 protons, 7 electrons, and 8 neutrons.
Atom Z has 8 protons, 8 electrons, and 9 neutrons.
Now, we need to compare the number of protons for each atom. Protons determine the atomic number of an element. So, if two atoms have the same number of protons, they are the same element.
Comparing Atom A and Atom D, we see that both have 6 protons. Therefore, A and D are isotopes of the same element.
Comparing Atom A and Atom Z, we see that they have different numbers of protons (6 and 8). Therefore, A and Z are not isotopes of the same element.
Comparing Atom X and Atom D, we see that they have different numbers of protons (7 and 6). Therefore, X and D are not isotopes of the same element.
Comparing Atom X and Atom Z, we see that they have different numbers of protons (7 and 8). Therefore, X and Z are not isotopes of the same element.
Based on this analysis, the answer is option a. A and D are isotopes of the same element.