Atoms with the same number of protons

Subject : Chemistry

Question:

Atoms with the same number of protons but with different electrical charges _____.

A. Have different atomic numbers.

B. Are different ions.

C. Have different atomic masses.

D. Are different isotopes.

E. Have different numbers of neutrons.

Expert Verified Solution:

Atoms with the same number of protons but with different electrical charges are called different ions.

Here’s why:

Different Atomic Numbers: Atoms with different atomic numbers are different elements, not just different ions. Atomic number refers to the number of protons in the nucleus, which is the defining feature of an element.

Different Ions: Ions are atoms of the same element that have gained or lost electrons, giving them different electrical charges but the same number of protons. Therefore, they are indeed different ions.

Different Atomic Masses: While ions can have different atomic masses due to the addition or loss of neutrons (in isotopes), the key difference here is in electrical charge, not atomic mass.

Different Isotopes: Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. This difference affects the atomic mass but not the electrical charge.

Different Numbers of Neutrons: The number of neutrons affects the atomic mass and the formation of isotopes but does not change the electrical charge.

Thus, the correct statement is that atoms with the same number of protons but different electrical charges are different ions.