Question

1. play with the simulation to determine (make sure all boxes are clicked):

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?

a) oxygen - 16
b) oxygen -
c) oxygen -
d) list all of the things that are the same about these atoms (ignore the electrons).
e) list all of the things that are different about these atoms (ignore the electrons).

1. 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.
2. test your understanding of isotopes by examining the relationships between the pairs of atoms listed below:

atom 1	atom 2	relationship between atom 1 and atom 2

Explanation:

Step1: Recall atomic - stability factors

Protons and neutrons in the nucleus affect the stability of the atom due to the balance of forces in the nucleus. Electrons are involved in chemical bonding and do not directly affect nuclear stability.

Step2: Answer part (a)

Protons and neutrons

Step3: Answer part (b)

Electrons

Step4: Recall stable oxygen isotopes

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

Step5: Answer part (13b)

17

Step6: Answer part (13c)

18

Step7: Analyze same aspects of oxygen isotopes

The number of protons is the same for all oxygen isotopes (atomic number = 8).

Step8: Answer part (13d)

Number of protons

Step9: Analyze different aspects of oxygen isotopes

The number of neutrons is different for different oxygen isotopes.

Step10: Answer part (13e)

Number of neutrons

Step11: Recall isotope definition

Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons (same atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons (different mass numbers).

Step12: Answer part 14

Same atomic number, different mass numbers

Step13: Analyze carbon - 12 and carbon - 13

Carbon - 12 and carbon - 13 have the same atomic number (6) and different mass numbers (12 and 13), so they are isotopes.

Step14: Answer part 15

Isotopes

Answer:

1. a) Protons and neutrons

b) Electrons

1. b) 17

c) 18
d) Number of protons
e) Number of neutrons

1. Same atomic number, different mass numbers
2. Isotopes