Which of the following best describes an isotope? Which of the following best describes an isotope? an atom with an unequal number of protons and electrons a structural variation in which different atoms of the same element have different numbers of neutrons a structural variation in which different atoms of the same element have different numbers of electrons a structural variation in which different atoms of the same element have different numbers of protons

Question

Physics

Devin Crane

13 December, 12:00

Which of the following best describes an isotope? Which of the following best describes an isotope? an atom with an unequal number of protons and electrons a structural variation in which different atoms of the same element have different numbers of neutrons a structural variation in which different atoms of the same element have different numbers of electrons a structural variation in which different atoms of the same element have different numbers of protons

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Answers (1)

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Aliya Bradford · Answer 1

a structural variation in which different atoms of the same element have different numbers of neutrons

Explanation:

An isotope is an atom of an element having the same number of protons but different number of neutrons. Different isotopes are used for different purposes. Example: some are used in medicines, food irradiation, etc.

Carbon has three isotopes C 12, C 13, C 14. All three of them have 6 protons but have different numbers of neutrons.

C 12 is a common element and is abundant in nature

C 13 is less abundant than C 12

C 14 is used for dating fossils. It is radioactive