Which statement is inconsistent with the concept of isotopes of the same element?
A. Isotopes have the same number of protons
B. Isotopes have the same atomic number
C. Isotopes differ in mass number
D. Isotopes differ in the number of neutrons present
E. Isotopes differ in their nuclear charge
Answer (3)
option b and c are correct
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This results in isotopes having the same atomic number but different mass numbers. Given this definition, the statement that is inconsistent with the concept of isotopes would be: e. Isotopes differ in their nuclear charge
Isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons and thus the same nuclear charge; they only differ in the number of neutrons, which affects the mass number, not the nuclear charge. Therefore, isotopes exhibit the same chemical behaviors, even though they have different masses.
The inconsistent statement regarding isotopes is Option E, which claims that isotopes differ in their nuclear charge. This is incorrect because isotopes have the same number of protons, hence the same nuclear charge. All other options correctly describe characteristics of isotopes.
;
