What is the structure of an atom? What is an isotope?
Understand the Problem
The question asks about the structure of an atom and the concept of isotopes, which involves basic atomic theory and definitions.
Answer
An atom has a nucleus of protons and neutrons, with electrons around it. Isotopes have the same number of protons but different neutrons.
The structure of an atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by a cloud of electrons. An isotope is an atom with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Answer for screen readers
The structure of an atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by a cloud of electrons. An isotope is an atom with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
More Information
Atoms, the basic units of matter, have electrons in orbits around the nucleus. Isotopes of an element have unique nuclear properties due to their neutron count variations.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking isotopes differ in electron count; they actually have the same electrons and protons, differing only in neutron number.
Sources
- What Are Isotopes? - iaea.org
- Atom - Mass, Isotopes, Structure | Britannica - britannica.com
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