In the following drawings, red spheres represent protons, and blue spheres represent neutrons. Which of the draw-ings represent different isotopes of the same element, and which represents a different element altogether? (a)
(b)
(c)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the number of protons (red spheres) and neutrons (blue spheres) in each drawing.
2. Compare the number of protons in each drawing to determine if they represent the same element. Elements are defined by their number of protons.
3. Compare the number of neutrons in each drawing to determine if they are isotopes of the same element. Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
4. Drawing (i) has 3 protons and 3 neutrons.
5. Drawing (ii) has 3 protons and 4 neutrons, and Drawing (iii) has 2 protons and 3 neutrons.

Key Concepts

Isotopes

Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This difference in neutron count results in varying atomic masses. For example, carbon-12 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon, where carbon-12 has six neutrons and carbon-14 has eight. Understanding isotopes is crucial for identifying elements and their properties.

Atomic Structure

The atomic structure consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons, with protons and neutrons located in the nucleus and electrons orbiting around it. The number of protons defines the element, while the arrangement of neutrons and electrons influences its chemical behavior. Recognizing how these particles interact helps in distinguishing between different elements and isotopes.

Element Identification

Elements are identified by their atomic number, which is the number of protons in the nucleus. Different elements have unique atomic numbers, and thus, a change in the number of protons signifies a different element. In the context of isotopes, while the number of protons remains constant, variations in neutrons can lead to different isotopes of the same element, highlighting the importance of understanding atomic composition.