Which of the following statements best explains why elements with the same atomic number exhibit identical chemical properties, even if their mass numbers are different?
Because they have the same number of protons and electrons
Atomic number is defined as the number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom, and in a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons.
Chemical properties of an element are governed mainly by the arrangement and number of electrons, particularly those in the outermost shell, which take part in bonding.
Isotopes of an element have the same atomic number and hence the same number of protons and electrons, but differ in the number of neutrons, which changes only the mass number, not the chemical behaviour.
Hence, elements with the same atomic number show identical chemical properties because they have the same number of protons and electrons.
Similar Questions
What defines two elements as isobars?
Atoms of different elements with different ___________ numbers but the same ______ number are known as isobars.
Which of the following statements is correct about the size of atoms?
Which property of isotopes remains unchanged?
Which of the following statements about neutrons is correct?
An element X forms an ion X²⁺. If the neutral atom of X has 20 electrons, how many electrons are present in the ion?
Which statement best describes the nucleus according to Rutherford's model?
An element has an atomic number of 17. Based on the arrangement of charged particles in its atom, which statement best explains the number of electrons in its neutral state?
Which property is used to differentiate atoms of various elements based on the total mass of their protons and neutrons in the nucleus?
Chlorine occurs in nature in two isotopic forms, with masses 35 u and 37 u, then average atomic mass of chlorine atom estimated would have been:
Important Questions from Structure of Atom
- How many moles of He atoms are present in its 20 u mass ?
Which of the following electron transition in hydrogen atom will require largest amount of energy?
A species having 8 electrons in the third shell is very reactive while the other species having 8 electrons in the third shell is very inactive they are :
Which of the following is the general formula for saturated hydrocarbons?
Which one of the following is the average atomic mass of chlorine atom?
