Test your understanding of isotopes by selecting the correct relationship between the pair of atoms
${ }_6^{13} C$
A. Same Atom, Not Isotopes of Each Other
B. Different Element
C. Isotopes
Answer (2)
Isotopes are atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
The given atom 6 13 C has 6 protons and a mass number of 13.
A generic carbon atom 6 12 C has 6 protons and a mass number of 12.
Since they have the same number of protons but different mass numbers, they are isotopes. c Isotopes
Explanation
Problem Analysis We are asked to determine the relationship between the given atom, 6 13 C , and a generic carbon atom, focusing on whether they are isotopes.
Isotope Definition Recall that isotopes are atoms of the same element (same number of protons) but with different numbers of neutrons, leading to different mass numbers.
Analyzing the Given Atom The given atom, 6 13 C , has an atomic number of 6. This means it has 6 protons. The mass number is 13, which is the sum of protons and neutrons.
Identifying the Element Since the atomic number is 6, the atom is carbon. A generic carbon atom is 6 12 C , which has 6 protons and 6 neutrons (mass number 12).
Determining the Relationship Comparing 6 13 C and 6 12 C , they both have 6 protons, but they have different mass numbers (13 and 12, respectively). Therefore, they are isotopes of each other.
Final Answer The correct answer is c Isotopes .
Examples
Isotopes are crucial in various fields. For example, in carbon dating, scientists use the isotope Carbon-14 to determine the age of organic materials. The different neutron numbers in isotopes affect their nuclear properties, making them useful in medical treatments like radioactive iodine for thyroid disorders. Understanding isotopes helps us trace the origins and behaviors of substances in environmental studies, such as tracking water movement using deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen.
The atom 6 13 C is an isotope of carbon because it has the same number of protons (6) as another carbon isotope, 6 12 C , but differs in neutron count, having 7 neutrons instead of 6. Therefore, the correct option is C. Isotopes.
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