Question 1
Question detail
Which of the following statements about isotopes is true?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Atomic structure
Question
- A. Isotopes have the same chemical properties.
- B. Isotopes have different atomic numbers.
- C. Isotopes have different electron configurations.
- D. Isotopes are always radioactive.
Answer
Isotopes have the same chemical properties.
Explanation
Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons and electrons, which means they exhibit the same chemical properties despite having different mass numbers.
Common mistake
Confusing Isotopes with Ions
Students often confuse isotopes with ions, thinking they are the same because both involve variations of atoms.
Remember that isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, while ions are atoms that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a charge. For example, Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon, while Na+ is a sodium ion.
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