Most elements are made up of a mixture of isotopes
Isotopes of the same element have;
- same number of protons and electron
- but different number of nutrons in the nucleus
- different masses
Carbon, for example exists as of isotopes.
C 12, C 13, C 14
Carbon 12, 13 and 14 will all have 6 electrons and 6 protons in however different number of neutrons.
You work it out by taking away its number of electrons and protons from its mass.
Number of protons and electrons is also known as the atomic number.
Different isotopes of the same element react in the same way because chemical reactions involve electrons . Neutrons make no difference to chemical activity
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