What determines the mass number in different isotopes?

In contrast, the number of neutrons for a given element can vary. Forms of the same atom that differ only in their number of neutrons are called isotopes. Together, the number of protons and the number of neutrons determine an element’s mass number: mass number = protons + neutrons.

Why the three isotopes all have different atomic masses?

Isotopes of any given element all contain the same number of protons, so they have the same atomic number (for example, the atomic number of helium is always 2). Isotopes of a given element contain different numbers of neutrons, therefore, different isotopes have different mass numbers.

Do isotopes have different atomic masses?

Isotopes are atoms with different atomic masses which have the same atomic number. The atoms of different isotopes are atoms of the same chemical element; they differ in the number of neutrons in the nucleus.

Why do isotopes have same chemical properties but different mass number?

All the Isotopes of an element have identical chemical properties. The reason for this is because isotopes of an element have the same number of electrons as an atom of that element but they have different number of neutrons which affects the mass number.

Why is the isotope mass not a whole number?

The reason for atomic mass not being a whole number is because atomic mass is reported as a weighted average of all the isotopes. For example, suppose 75 percent of the atoms for a hypothetical element have an atomic mass of 10. And the other 25 percent have an atomic mass of 11.

How will the mass of an isotope differ from the mass of the element?

Atoms of an element that contain different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes. Each isotope of a given element has the same atomic number but a different mass number (A), which is the sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons.

Do different isotopes of the same element have the same mass?

For atomic masses, neutrons do not have negligible mass (like the electron), so this therefore indicates different isotopes of the same element have different masses.

Why do isotopes have slightly different physical properties?

Isotopes of an element have different physical properties because they have different mass numbers. When it comes to physical properties of isotopes including mass, melting or boiling point, density, and freezing point, they are all different. The physical properties of any isotope are largely determined by its mass.

Why do different isotopes of the same element have the same chemical properties?

Usually one or two isotopes of an element are the most stable and common. Different isotopes of an element generally have the same physical and chemical properties because they have the same numbers of protons and electrons.

What do isotopes have in common How do isotopes differ?

An isotope is one of two or more forms of the same chemical element. Different isotopes of an element have the same number of protons in the nucleus, giving them the same atomic number, but a different number of neutrons giving each elemental isotope a different atomic weight.

Why do isotopes of the same element have different mass numbers?

Isotopes of an element differ in the number of neutrons in the nuclei so they have a different mass number as the mass number is the sum of a number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Answer verified by Toppr Upvote (4) Was this answer helpful?

What are the physical properties of isotopes?

When it comes to physical properties of isotopes including mass, melting or boiling point, density, and freezing point, they are all different. The physical properties of any isotope are largely determined by its mass. We may differentiate one isotope from another by understanding the differences.

Are isotopes of the same element artificial in nature?

There’s nothing artificial about it. Isotopes are atoms of the same element, with the same electron configuration, hence the same chemical properties. The only chemical differences are decidedly second or third order, even for hydrogen where the mass differences are actual multiples rather than mere fractions.