Why is an iron atom a different element than a carbon atom?
A) A carbon atom has fewer neutrons in its nucleus than an iron atom.
B) An iron atom has more protons in its nucleus than a carbon atom.
C) An iron atom has more electrons than a carbon atom.
D) A carbon atom is bigger than an iron atom.
E) All of the above are true.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An element is defined by the number of protons in its nucleus, known as its atomic number. Carbon has 6 protons and iron has 26 protons, so they are different elements. The other options are not correct: A) Both carbon and iron have a roughly equal number of neutrons; C) The number of electrons in an atom does not determine its identity as an element; D) The size of an atom is not directly related to its identity as an element.

Why Is an Iron Atom a Different Element Than a Carbon