Chemistry, 03.07.2019 22:50 levilugar

In an atom, the number of neutrons determines most specifically the

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Answer from: faithrawlins14

In an atom, the number of neutrons determines most specifically the $\boxed{{\text{isotopes}}}$ .

Further Explanation:

The smallest component of an element and the building block of matter is known as an atom. It is made up of a central part which is called atomic nucleus. It contains protons and neutrons in it. Nucleon is a collective term that is used for both protons and neutrons. Electrons revolve around the nucleus in definite circular paths called orbits. Protons are the subatomic particles having a positive charge whereas neutrons do not carry any charge. Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles. An atom is usually denoted as $_{\text{Z}}^{\text{A}}{\text{X}}$ , where X is the element symbol, Z is the atomic number and A is the atomic mass or mass number.

Atomic number indicates the total number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom. In other words, the total positive charge in the atomic nucleus is known as the atomic number. The total number of nucleons present in the atomic nucleus is known as the atomic mass.

The atoms of the same element that has the same atomic number but different atomic masses are called isotopes. For example, $_{\text{6}}^{{\text{11}}}{\text{C}}$ and $_{\text{6}}^{{\text{12}}}{\text{C}}$ are isotopes. Both these atoms belong to the carbon element so these have the same atomic number (6) and therefore the number of protons is the same in both. For a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons so these have the same number of electrons also. The only difference in these is the number of neutrons which is different in both isotopes. $_{\text{6}}^{{\text{11}}}{\text{C}}$ has 5 neutrons while there are 6 neutrons in $_{\text{6}}^{{\text{12}}}{\text{C}}$ .

Therefore, the number of neutrons determines the isotopes of an element.

Learn more:

Component of John Dalton’s atomic theory: Basis of investigation for the scientists:

Answer details:

Grade: Senior School

Chapter: Atomic structure

Subject: Chemistry

Keywords: atom, element, matter, atomic nucleus, electrons, protons, neutrons, subatomic particle, A, X, Z, atomic number, positive charge, orbits, circular paths, isotopes.

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