How can there be more than 1000 different atoms when there are only about 100 different elements?

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Chemistry

Seth Francis

8 May, 23:37

How can there be more than 1000 different atoms when there are only about 100 different elements?

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Talon Atkins · Answer 1

Elements are defined by the number of protons in the nucleus, and aren't considered to be different when you change the number of neutrons on the nucleus. The opposite is true for atoms. All elements and their isotopes, elements with different numbers of neutrons, are considered different types of atoms.