how many different types of atoms are they in an element?

Answer 1

one.

Answer 2

There can be more than one type. It depends on the number of isotopes that element has.

All atoms of an element possess the same number of protons and this is what distinguishes one element from another and also specifies its position in the Periodic Table. However, atoms of an element might have varying numbers of neutrons and this will give them a different atomic mass and so make them different from the others.

An element without isopes has only one type of atom but an element with isotopes has more than one type of atom.

Answer 3

you're getting two distinct answers here...

either (1) or (many if you consider isotopes and ions)

So you have to decide what you mean by "types"

The second answer could be correct if you're willing to differentiate between isotopes of a particular element. (for example U235 and U238 are both uranium - different isotopes but both are uranium and they are very different atoms). the exact number of different isotopes possible depends on the element by the way.

if you mean type = number of protons (ie cell on the periodic table), then the answer = 1.

if you mean different names = different atoms, be careful.... some isotopes have their own names, Hydrogen , deuterium, and tritium are all isotopes of hydrogen. So by this convention, they would be three types of atoms, but U235 and U238 would be one type of atom (since they are both called uranium). Very inconsistent.

perhaps you should ask your instructor what he or she is looking for.

Answer 4

depends. there is only one number of protons that can be that element. just one for each element.

but there are also ionized particles that have different numbers of electrons and isotopes that have different numbers of neutrons. this makes for several types of atoms for the same element. there is no definite answer...it depends on the element.

Answer 5

only one type of atom can be in an element. an atom is a single particle of and element, which is pure and only that element

Answer 6

One and one only. It is a definition.
*Unless* you consider isotopes, which have the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons, like Carbon-12, -13, and -14.