Question

this question has multiple parts. work all the parts to get the most points.
thorium-232 and thorium-234 differ in terms of the number of subatomic particles.
a for which subatomic particle is the number different?
(select all that apply.)
protons
neutrons
electrons
submit

Explanation:

1. Recall the definition of isotopes: Thorium - 232 and Thorium - 234 are isotopes of thorium. Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons (and electrons in a neutral atom) but different mass numbers.
2. The mass number (A) of an atom is given by the sum of the number of protons (Z) and neutrons (N), i.e., \(A=Z + N\). For thorium, the atomic number (number of protons) \(Z\) is constant. Since the mass numbers of Thorium - 232 (\(A = 232\)) and Thorium - 234 (\(A=234\)) are different, and \(Z\) is the same, the number of neutrons \(N=A - Z\) must be different. The number of protons (and electrons in a neutral atom) remains the same for isotopes.

Answer:

neutrons