Multiple Choice
Copper has two naturally occurring stable isotopes, and . Which statement correctly compares these two isotopes?
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4. Atoms and Elements
Isotopes
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Which of the following best describes isotopes?
A
Atoms of different elements that have the same number of protons
B
Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons (and therefore different mass numbers)
C
Atoms of the same element that have the same numbers of protons and neutrons but different electron configurations
D
Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of protons (and therefore different atomic numbers)
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that isotopes are variants of the same element, meaning they have the same number of protons but differ in the number of neutrons.
Understand that the number of protons defines the element's identity and atomic number, so isotopes cannot have different numbers of protons.
Recognize that different numbers of neutrons cause isotopes to have different mass numbers, which is the sum of protons and neutrons.
Eliminate options that describe atoms with different elements (different protons) or different electron configurations, as these do not define isotopes.
Conclude that the best description of isotopes is: atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons (and therefore different mass numbers).
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