Isotopes Flashcards
1
Q
What happens if you add an extra proton to an existing element?
A
It becomes a completely different element with different properties.
2
Q
What happens if you add an extra neutron to an existing element?
A
The element stays the same but becomes a little heavier since the charge on the nucleus would be unchanged.
3
Q
What is an isotope?
A
Variations of an element, all variations have the same atomic number (number of protons and electrons) but a different atomic mass. (e.g. carbon-12, carbon-13, carbon-14)
