Mass Number and Isotopes Flashcards
1
Q
What does the Z and A mean in atomic notation?
Z
Xy
A
A
Z means atomic number
A means mass number
2
Q
What is an isotope?
A
variation of an element that has a different number of neutrons
3
Q
What are the differences and similarities between isotopes of an element?
A
different physical properties, e.g. density, boiling point
identical chemical properties because electronic configuration is the same
4
Q
What is a stable isotope?
A
An isotope that doesn’t decay
5
Q
What is relative isotopic abundance?
A
how abundant a particular isotope is
6
Q
What is isotopic signature?
A
ratio of the abundances of different isotopes of specified elements in a sample
used as a diagnostic test of the samples origin or of its age
