Question

1. neon has two isotopes: neon - 10 and neon - 12. a. which isotope has the greater mass? b. which has more neutrons? c. which has more protons? d. which has more electrons?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall isotope mass concept

Isotope mass is mainly determined by the sum of protons and neutrons. The number after the element name in an isotope (e.g., neon - 10 and neon - 12) represents the mass - number (protons + neutrons). So neon - 12 has a greater mass.

Step2: Recall neutron number calculation

For an isotope, the number of neutrons = mass - number - atomic number. Neon has an atomic number of 10. For neon - 10, number of neutrons = 10 - 10=0. For neon - 12, number of neutrons = 12 - 10 = 2. So neon - 12 has more neutrons.

Step3: Recall proton number property

Isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons. Since both are neon isotopes, they have the same number of protons (atomic number of neon is 10).

Step4: Recall electron number property

In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. Since both are neutral neon atoms and have the same number of protons, they have the same number of electrons.

Answer:

a. neon - 12
b. neon - 12
c. Neither, they have the same number of protons.
d. Neither, they have the same number of electrons.