Question
Which statement about isotopes is correct? Isotopes are different elements with different numbers of protons but the same number of neutrons. Isotopes are the same element with different numbers of protons and different numbers of neutrons. Isotopes are the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Answer
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(348 Votes)
Winifred
Veteran · Tutor for 10 years
Answer
Isotopes are the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Explanation
Isotopes are variants of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The number of protons (which defines the atomic number) remains constant for a given element, while the number of neutrons varies. This difference in neutron number results in different isotopic masses, but since the chemical behavior is largely influenced by the number of protons, isotopes of an element exhibit similar chemical properties.