Questions: Atom, Isotope, Ion 3. Define atom, ion, and isotone and explain how these three terms are similar and how they are different: 4. Can two atoms that are the same element have different amounts of electrons? What about neutrons? Protons?

Atom, Isotope, Ion
3. Define atom, ion, and isotone and explain how these three terms are similar and how they are different:
4. Can two atoms that are the same element have different amounts of electrons? What about neutrons? Protons?
Transcript text: Atom, Isotope, Ion 3. Define atom, ion, and isotone and explain how these three terms are similar and how they are different: 4. Can two atoms that are the same element have different amounts of electrons? What about neutrons? Protons?
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Solution

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Solution Steps

Step 1: Define Atom, Ion, and Isotope
  • Atom: An atom is the smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of that element. It consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in orbitals.

  • Ion: An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge. If an atom loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion (cation), and if it gains electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion (anion).

  • Isotope: Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This results in different atomic masses for the isotopes of an element.

Step 2: Similarities and Differences
  • Similarities:

    • All three terms relate to atoms and their subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, and electrons).
    • Atoms, ions, and isotopes are all fundamental concepts in chemistry that describe different states or forms of elements.
  • Differences:

    • Atoms are neutral, with equal numbers of protons and electrons, while ions have an imbalance between protons and electrons, giving them a charge.
    • Isotopes differ in the number of neutrons, while ions differ in the number of electrons.
    • The chemical properties of isotopes are generally similar, whereas ions have different chemical properties due to their charge.
Step 3: Can Two Atoms of the Same Element Have Different Amounts of Electrons, Neutrons, or Protons?
  • Electrons: Yes, two atoms of the same element can have different numbers of electrons. This occurs when the atoms are ions. For example, a sodium atom (Na) can lose an electron to become a sodium ion (Na⁺).

  • Neutrons: Yes, two atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons. These are called isotopes. For example, carbon-12 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon with different numbers of neutrons.

  • Protons: No, two atoms of the same element cannot have different numbers of protons. The number of protons defines the element. For example, all carbon atoms have 6 protons.

Final Answer

  • Atom: The smallest unit of an element, neutral with equal protons and electrons.

  • Ion: An atom or molecule with a net charge due to loss or gain of electrons.

  • Isotope: Variants of an element with the same number of protons but different neutrons.

  • Atoms of the same element can have different numbers of:

    • Electrons: Yes, as ions.
    • Neutrons: Yes, as isotopes.
    • Protons: No, the number of protons defines the element.

\[ \boxed{ \begin{array}{l} \text{Atom: Smallest unit of an element, neutral.} \\ \text{Ion: Charged atom/molecule due to electron loss/gain.} \\ \text{Isotope: Same element, different neutrons.} \\ \text{Electrons: Yes, as ions.} \\ \text{Neutrons: Yes, as isotopes.} \\ \text{Protons: No, defines the element.} \end{array} } \]

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