Multiple Choice
Which of the following main isotopes of carbon exist naturally as ions?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Isotopes
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Two atoms that are isotopes of one another must have a different number of which subatomic particle?
A
Protons
B
Electrons
C
Quarks
D
Neutrons
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that isotopes are atoms of the same element, meaning they have the same number of protons.
Since the number of protons defines the element, isotopes cannot differ in protons.
Electrons can vary in ions, but isotopes specifically refer to differences in the nucleus, so electrons are not the differing particle.
Quarks are fundamental particles inside protons and neutrons, but isotopes are defined by differences at the nuclear particle level, not quarks.
Therefore, isotopes differ in the number of neutrons, which changes the atomic mass but not the atomic number.
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