Textbook Question
Assume that the mixture of substances in drawing (a) undergoes a reaction. Which of the drawings (b)–(d) rep-resents a product mixture consistent with the law of mass conservation? (b) (c) (d)
Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions
McMurry8th EditionChemistryISBN: 9781292336145
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Chemical Tools: Experimentation & Measurement170
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions160
- Ch.3 - Mass Relationships in Chemical Reactions169
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution199
- Ch.5 - Periodicity & Electronic Structure of Atoms102
- Ch.6 - Ionic Compounds: Periodic Trends and Bonding Theory92
- Ch.7 - Covalent Bonding and Electron-Dot Structures61
- Ch.8 - Covalent Compounds: Bonding Theories and Molecular Structure59
- Ch.9 - Thermochemistry: Chemical Energy122
- Ch.10 - Gases: Their Properties & Behavior155
- Ch.11 - Liquids & Phase Changes54
- Ch.12 - Solids and Solid-State Materials73
- Ch.13 - Solutions & Their Properties120
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics98
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium125
- Ch.16 - Aqueous Equilibria: Acids & Bases110
- Ch.17 - Applications of Aqueous Equilibria147
- Ch.18 - Thermodynamics: Entropy, Free Energy & Equilibrium86
- Ch.19 - Electrochemistry154
- Ch.20 - Nuclear Chemistry96
- Ch.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry156
- Ch.22 - The Main Group Elements187
- Ch.23 - Organic and Biological Chemistry51
Chapter 2, Problem 40
In the following drawings, red spheres represent protons, and blue spheres represent neutrons. Which of the draw-ings represent different isotopes of the same element, and which represents a different element altogether?(a) 
(b) ![]()
(c) ![]()
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Identify the number of protons (red spheres) and neutrons (blue spheres) in each drawing.
Compare the number of protons in each drawing to determine if they represent the same element. Elements are defined by their number of protons.
Compare the number of neutrons in each drawing to determine if they are isotopes of the same element. Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Drawing (i) has 3 protons and 3 neutrons.
Drawing (ii) has 3 protons and 4 neutrons, and Drawing (iii) has 2 protons and 3 neutrons.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Isotopes
Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This difference in neutron count results in varying atomic masses. For example, carbon-12 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon, where carbon-12 has six neutrons and carbon-14 has eight. Understanding isotopes is crucial for identifying elements and their properties.
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Isotopes
Atomic Structure
The atomic structure consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons, with protons and neutrons located in the nucleus and electrons orbiting around it. The number of protons defines the element, while the arrangement of neutrons and electrons influences its chemical behavior. Recognizing how these particles interact helps in distinguishing between different elements and isotopes.
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Element Identification
Elements are identified by their atomic number, which is the number of protons in the nucleus. Different elements have unique atomic numbers, and thus, a change in the number of protons signifies a different element. In the context of isotopes, while the number of protons remains constant, variations in neutrons can lead to different isotopes of the same element, highlighting the importance of understanding atomic composition.
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Related Practice
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