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.
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