Question

Matthew is looking at two different atoms. One has 8 protons and 10 neutrons. The other substance has 8 protons and 12 neutrons. Are these the same element? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Answer:

They are the same element.

Explanation:

Atom >>>>> Proton >>>> Neutron

A >>>>>>>> 8 >>>>>>>>> 10

B >>>>>>>> 8 >>>>>>>>> 12

From the table above we can see that both atoms have the same proton number.

Therefore, they are the same element because they have the same proton number which means that they have the same atomic number. The element in this case is existing as an isotope in that the atoms have the same proton number but different neutron number.