Question

part iii: isotopes

1. play with the simulation to determine:

a. which particles affect the stability of the atom?
b. which particles do not affect the stability of the atom?

1. what are the names of the stable forms of oxygen? oxygen - 16 oxygen - 17 oxygen - 18
2. list all of the things that are the same about these atoms (ignore the electrons).
3. list all of the things that are different about these atoms (ignore the electrons).
4. the atoms in the previous question are isotopes of each other. based on this information, list the requirements for two atoms to be isotopes of each other.
5. choose one correct answer about the relationship between atom 1 and atom 2

atom 1	atom 2	relationship between atom 1 and atom 2
carbon - 12	$^{12}_{6}c$	isotopes; same atom, not isotopes of each other; different element
argon - 40	argon - 41	isotopes; same atom, not isotopes of each other; different element
$^{11}_{5}b$	boron - 10	isotopes; same atom, not isotopes of each other; different element
an atom with 13 protons and 13 neutrons	an atom with 14 protons and 13 neutrons	isotopes; same atom, not isotopes of each other; different element

Explanation:

Step1: Recall atomic - stability factors

Protons and neutrons in the nucleus affect stability due to nuclear forces. Electrons are in the electron - cloud and mainly affect chemical properties, not nuclear stability.

Step2: Identify stable oxygen isotopes

The stable isotopes of oxygen are Oxygen - 16, Oxygen - 17, and Oxygen - 18.

Step3: Analyze same aspects of oxygen isotopes

Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons (atomic number). For oxygen isotopes, the number of protons is 8.

Step4: Analyze different aspects of oxygen isotopes

Isotopes differ in the number of neutrons. For Oxygen - 16, number of neutrons = 16 - 8=8; for Oxygen - 17, number of neutrons = 17 - 8 = 9; for Oxygen - 18, number of neutrons = 18 - 8 = 10.

Step5: Define isotope requirements

Two atoms are isotopes if they have the same atomic number (same number of protons) but different mass numbers (different number of neutrons).

Step6: Determine isotope relationships

• For $^{12}_6C$ and $^{13}_6C$, they are isotopes as they have the same atomic number (6) and different mass numbers (12 and 13).
• For Carbon - 12 and $^{12}_6C$, they are the same atom, not isotopes of each other.
• For Argon - 40 and Argon - 41, they are isotopes as they are the same element (argon) with different mass numbers.
• For $^{11}_5B$ and Boron - 10, they are isotopes as they are the same element (boron) with different mass numbers.
• For an atom with 13 protons and 13 neutrons (Aluminum - 26) and an atom with 14 protons (Silicon), they are different elements.

Answer:

1. a. Protons and neutrons

b. Electrons

1. Oxygen - 16, Oxygen - 17, Oxygen - 18
2. Number of protons (atomic number = 8)
3. Number of neutrons
4. Same atomic number, different mass numbers

6.

• $^{12}_6C$ and $^{13}_6C$: Isotopes
• Carbon - 12 and $^{12}_6C$: Same Atom, Not Isotopes of Each Other
• Argon - 40 and Argon - 41: Isotopes
• $^{11}_5B$ and Boron - 10: Isotopes
• An atom with 13 protons and 13 neutrons and an atom with 14 protons and 13 neutrons: Different Element