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
A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes
Question
- A. Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons
- B. Isotopes have the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons
- C. Isotopes are always radioactive
- D. Isotopes have different chemical properties
Answer
The correct option is Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Explanation
The correct option is Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons is correct because it directly supports the approved learning objective to interpret isotope abundance data to compare contributions to relative atomic mass. This is tested in the subtopic Relative atomic mass within A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes, so the reasoning must stay within AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462 Unit 4.1. The other options are weaker because they either confuse a nearby Chemistry concept, use the wrong subtopic context, or do not answer Relative atomic mass precisely. Repair marker c4eaa299 keeps this question distinct from adjacent atom, ion, isotope, group, period, and electronic-structure questions.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Isotope Contributions
Students often think that the relative atomic mass is simply the average of the isotopes' mass numbers without considering their percentage abundances.
To fix this, students should remember to multiply each isotope's mass number by its percentage abundance, sum these values, and then divide by the total percentage (100) to find the relative atomic mass. Keep the correction anchored to Relative atomic mass and avoid mixing it with nearby Unit 4.1 ideas.
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