2006-07-31 22:06:51 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Same element, different number of neutrons.
This affects the atomic mass. Each electron weighs a VERY tiny amount. Protons compose about half of the atomic weight, and neutrons compose the other half. Neutrons weigh an eensy bit more than protons.
Changing the number of protons changes the element entirely.
Changing the number of electrons changes the element's charge.
2006-07-31 22:10:29 · answer #1 · answered by jsprplc2006 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isotopes are forms of an element, therefore their nuclei have the same atomic number — the number of protons in the nucleus — but different mass numbers because they contain different numbers of neutrons.
The word isotope, meaning at the same place, comes from the fact that all isotopes of an element are located at the same place on the periodic table.
Collectively, the isotopes of the elements form the set of nuclides. A nuclide is a particular type of atomic nucleus, or more generally an agglomeration of protons and neutrons. Strictly speaking, it is more correct to say that an element such as fluorine consists of one stable nuclide rather than that it has one stable isotope.
Some of the isotopes may be radioactive.
2006-08-01 05:21:41 · answer #2 · answered by RAMA K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isotopes are forms of an element, therefore their nuclei have the same atomic number — the number of protons in the nucleus — but different mass numbers because they contain different numbers of neutrons.
The word isotope, meaning at the same place, comes from the fact that all isotopes of an element are located at the same place on the periodic table.
Collectively, the isotopes of the elements form the set of nuclides. A nuclide is a particular type of atomic nucleus, or more generally an agglomeration of protons and neutrons. Strictly speaking, it is more correct to say that an element such as fluorine consists of one stable nuclide rather than that it has one stable isotope.
2006-08-01 05:11:51 · answer #3 · answered by princess 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isotopes are atoms of a specific element which have identical numbers of protons, but different numbers of neutrons.
2006-08-02 08:41:15 · answer #4 · answered by Robert C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
many element occur in nature with the sameatomic number and different mass numbers.such element with the same atomic number butdifferent mass number are called isotopes
2006-08-01 05:28:18 · answer #5 · answered by raj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An isotope is an atom of an element that diffes in atomic mass with other atoms of the same element.
2006-08-01 05:11:09 · answer #6 · answered by mtula ikufa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
type of molecule.
2006-08-01 05:16:24 · answer #7 · answered by angela w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋