QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
"An atom of an element contains 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons. An atom that is a different isotope of this element would contain —
A. 6 protons, 7 neutrons, and 6 electrons.
B. 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 7 electrons.
C. 7 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons.
D. 7 protons, 7 neutrons, and 7 electrons."
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Answer
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Step 1:: Identify the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in a neutral atom of this element.
In the given atom, there are 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons. Since the atom is neutral, the number of protons (which have a positive charge) equals the number of electrons (which have a negative charge). The number of neutrons, which have no charge, can vary between isotopes of the same element.
Step 2:: Understand the possible changes in the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons for different isotopes.
For different isotopes of the same element, the number of protons remains constant, while the number of neutrons and electrons can change. However, in a neutral atom, the number of protons must still equal the number of electrons.
Step 3:: Examine the answer choices and identify the correct option.
Let's look at the options: A. 6 protons, 7 neutrons, and 6 electrons. B. 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 7 electrons. C. 7 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons. D. 7 protons, 7 neutrons, 7 electrons. Option C is incorrect because it suggests a different number of protons, which would mean a different element. Option D is also incorrect because it suggests a different number of protons and electrons, making the atom not neutral.
Step 4:: Compare the remaining options with the given information.
Options A and B have the correct number of protons (6) and electrons (6), but option A has 7 neutrons, while option B has 6 neutrons. Since the number of neutrons can vary between isotopes, both options A and B are possible isotopes of the given element.
Final Answer
The correct answer is option A (6 protons, 7 neutrons, and 6 electrons) or option B (6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 7 electrons).
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