Question

isotope protons neutrons electrons mg - 24 12 12 12 mg - 25 12 13 12 mg - 26 12 14 12 1. which element do these isotopes belong to? the element is ____________. 2. the mass of the element is 24.4 amu. which isotope is the most abundant? the most abundant isotope for this element is ____________ because reflection 1. how do isotopes show that not all atoms of an element are identical? 2. give one real - world use of isotopes (medicine, archaeology, climate science).

Explanation:

Step1: Identify element by protons

The number of protons determines the element. All isotopes here have 12 protons, so it's magnesium.

Step2: Determine most abundant isotope

The atomic mass of an element is a weighted - average of its isotopes' masses. The mass of Mg - 24 is 24 amu, Mg - 25 is 25 amu and Mg - 26 is 26 amu. Since the atomic mass of magnesium is 24.4 amu, which is closest to 24 amu, Mg - 24 is the most abundant.

Step3: Explain non - identical atoms

Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, so not all atoms of an element are identical.

Step4: Real - world use of isotopes

In medicine, radioactive isotopes like technetium - 99m are used for diagnostic imaging.

Answer:

1. Magnesium
2. Mg - 24; the atomic mass of magnesium (24.4 amu) is closest to the mass of Mg - 24 (24 amu)

Reflection 1: Isotopes have same protons but different neutrons.
Reflection 2: In medicine, radioactive isotopes are used for diagnostic imaging.