Frosh PhySci - Atomic Theory Pt 2 Flashcards
True or false: All isotopes form naturally.
False
Define isotope.
An isotope is an atom of an element that differs in the number of its neutrons from other atoms of the element.
True or false: All isotopes are radioactive.
False
Why do different isotopes of an element generally have the same properties?
Different isotopes of an element generally have the same properties because they have the same numbers of protons and electrons.
Why do different isotopes of an element have different masses?
Different isotopes of an element have different masses because they have different numbers of neutrons. Protons and neutrons make up almost all the mass of an atom. An isotope with more neutrons will have a greater mass than other atoms of the element. An isotope with fewer neutrons will have a lesser mass than other atoms of the element.
Deuterium is an isotope of
a) oxygen.
b) helium.
c) carbon.
d) hydrogen.
d) hydrogen
How many neutrons does the isotope in question 6 have?
a) one
b) two
c) three
d) four
a) one
The mass number of the isotope in question 6 is _____.
two
A carbon isotope with seven neutrons is named _____.
carbon-13
Why are radioactive isotopes unstable?
Radioactive isotopes are unstable because they have an unstable ratio of neutrons to protons. Having too many or too few neutrons relative to protons results in a nucleus that will sooner or later break down to a more stable form.
