Table of Contents
- 1 Why is the number of neutrons different in isotopes?
- 2 Do isotopes have different number of neutrons?
- 3 In what way are isotopes of a given element always different?
- 4 How do the isotopes of a given element differ from one another?
- 5 Why do electrons have different numbers of protons and neutrons?
- 6 Why do isotopes of the same element always occupy the same place?
Why is the number of neutrons different in isotopes?
Atoms of the same element have the same number of protons, which is called the atomic number. Different isotopes of an element have different numbers of neutrons. As a result, they also have different mass numbers, which is the number of protons plus the number of neutrons.
Why is neutron very important for isotopes?
Neutron numbers are able to change the mass of atoms, because they weigh about as much as a proton and electron together. If there are many atoms of an element that are isotopes, the average atomic mass for that element will change.
Do isotopes have different number of neutrons?
Isotopes are members of a family of an element that all have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The number of protons in a nucleus determines the element’s atomic number on the Periodic Table.
Why do you think different atoms of the same element have different number of neutrons?
The number of protons determine the chemical properties of an atom. The number of protons then determine which element the atom is. The number of neutrons have no effect on the chemical properties but do affect the nuclear properties. Some ratios of protons to neutrons are more stable than other ratios.
In what way are isotopes of a given element always different?
In what way are isotopes of a given element always different? In what way(s) are they always the same? They always have different masses due to different numbers of neutrons. They always have the same number of protons (which determines the identity).
How do isotopes of an element differ from one another?
Isotopes. An isotope is one of two or more forms of the same chemical element. Different isotopes of an element have the same number of protons in the nucleus, giving them the same atomic number, but a different number of neutrons giving each elemental isotope a different atomic weight.
How do the isotopes of a given element differ from one another?
What is the difference between neutrons and isotopes?
Neutrons are found within the nucleus with the protons that help maintain balance between the protons and electrons. They have a neutral charge or no charge. Isotopes are essentially forms of the same element with the same protons but different neutrons. For example, Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 both have 6 protons but have different neutrons.
Why do electrons have different numbers of protons and neutrons?
The number of electrons is determined by the number of protons (when the numbers are equal, the nucleus ceases to attract them). If neutrons have a purpose, it is to keep the protons from repelling each other, and the number, beyond a certain minimum, is unimportant. Why do isotopes have different numbers of neutrons?
What are neutrons and how do they work?
Neutrons are nice little particles that have no electrical bias and usually not a lot of energy. They move around in the atmosphere, or in solid or liquid bodies of mass, just bumping into the nuclei of any atoms that they meet, and bouncing off, slowing down or speeding up according to the rules that are the same as those for pool balls.
Why do isotopes of the same element always occupy the same place?
The isotopes of a given element always contain the same number of protons and therefore occupy the same place on the periodic table. However, because isotopes contain different numbers of neutrons, each isotope has a unique atomic mass.