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Why do isotopes of an element have the same atomic number but different mass numbers?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
An element's atomic number refers to the number of protons in its nucleus, and this number never varies - an atom with a different number of protons becomes a different element; i.e. an element with one proton is called hydrogen, an element with 2 protons is helium, 3 protons means it's lithium etc). Usually there are the same number of neutrons as there are protons, but this number can vary, and when an element doesn't have the standard number of neutrons it's called an isotope. The mass number of an element is the sum of the number of protons plusneutrons, which is why this number can is different for different isotopes.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoElements are designated an atomic number, corresponding to the amount of protons in the nucleus of that particular element. This number does not change. However, an elements mass may differ if it contains a different number of neutrons. Such an element is called an isotope. Examples include carbon-13, which is used in radiocarbon dating, and Deuterium, a heavier isotope of hydrogen.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe different mass numbers are due to different numbers of neutrons.
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Which is the average of the mass numbers of an element's isotopes?
the Atomic Mass
The various atomic weights of the same element are called?
Atoms of the same element with different atomic masses are known as isotopes. Isotopes differ only by the number of neutrons present in the nucleus of the isotopes. The number of protons is the same for all isotopes of an element (because if there were different numbers of protons, then the atoms would not be of the same element).
What is a similarity and a difference between isotopes of an element?
All isotopes of an element have the same number of protons in the atomic nucleus, which is its atomic number on the periodic table. All isotopes of an element contain different numbers of neutrons in their atomic nuclei, which causes the isotopes of an element to vary in mass number (protons + neutrons).
How are the isotopes of an element are alike and how are they different?
The isotopes of an element are alike in that they have the same number of protons, electrons, and the same chemical properties. The isotopes are different in that they have different numbers of neutrons and thus different atomic masses.
Do Isotopes of uranium have different atomic numbers?
No. By definition isotopes of an element have the same number of protons (that is what makes them uranium, for example) but different numbers of neutrons (neutral particules in the nucleus which provide mass).
Does an isotope of an element have a different atomic mass?
Yes; isotopes of the same element have the same atomic number but differ in their atomic masses.
Why are the atomic mass numbers of an element not hole numbers?
Its the average of the weight of the different isotopes of that element.
Define the term isotope explain how two isotopes of an element are different?
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. Different isotopes of an element have the same atomic number, but different mass numbers. I hope I helped! ^_^
Do isotopes of an element have the same atomic mass but different atomic number?
The different mass numbers are due to different numbers of neutrons.
What isotopes of uncharded elements have different numbers?
The atomic number of the isotopes of an element is identical; the mass number is different.
How do you know the difference between isotopes and an element?
Isotopes are atoms of an element having different number of electrons.
Form of an element having different atomic and number of neutrons?
Isotopes have different numbers of electrons, but not different atomic numbers (numbers of protons) or they'd be different elements.
Which is the average of the mass numbers of an element's isotopes?
the Atomic Mass
The various atomic weights of the same element are called?
Atoms of the same element with different atomic masses are known as isotopes. Isotopes differ only by the number of neutrons present in the nucleus of the isotopes. The number of protons is the same for all isotopes of an element (because if there were different numbers of protons, then the atoms would not be of the same element).
Isotopes of uncharged elements have different numbers of which of these?
Isotopes of an element have nuclei with the same number of protons (the same atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons Neutrons (:
What is a similarity and a difference between isotopes of an element?
All isotopes of an element have the same number of protons in the atomic nucleus, which is its atomic number on the periodic table. All isotopes of an element contain different numbers of neutrons in their atomic nuclei, which causes the isotopes of an element to vary in mass number (protons + neutrons).
Which isotopes of uncharged elements have different numbers?
The isotopes of the same element has the same atomic number. But the mass number (atomic mass) is different.
