Isotopes

Question 1

What are isotopes?

Answer 1

Isotopes are atoms with the same atomic number and a different mass number. Isotopes are atoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons .

Question 2

Why is the mass given in the data booklet called relative atomic mass?

Answer 2

Elements are made up of isotopes so the mass given in the data booklet is called the relative atomic mass (RAM).

Question 3

How is the relative atomic mass calculated?

Answer 3

The relative atomic mass is the average mass of the isotopes in a sample of an element.

Question 4

What is the instrument called the mass spectrometer used for?

Answer 4

Scientists use a mass spectrometer to find:
The mass of isotopes present
The mass of each isotope
The relative proportion of each isotope as a percentage.

Question 5

What does m/z stand for?

Answer 5

The mass of each isotope