Two atoms have the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons. These two atoms
A) will exhibit different chemical properties.
B) are isotopes of each other.
C) have the same number of electrons.
D) have the same atomic mass.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Atoms with the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons are not isotopes of each other; instead, they are isotones. They will exhibit different chemical properties because chemical properties are primarily determined by the number of electrons, which is equal to the number of protons in a neutral atom. Since they have different numbers of protons, they will have different numbers of electrons and thus different chemical properties. They do not have the same atomic mass because atomic mass is influenced by both the number of protons and neutrons.

Two Atoms Have the Same Number of Neutrons but Different