Simple Chemistry Question: Isotopes?

P

phil j

New member
Okay so I had this one question in my midterm about isotopes.

All isotopes of a given element have similar chemical properties because...:

A. they have the same number of protons, although different numbers of neutrons
B. they have similar electronegativity
C. they have the same number of valence electrons
D. they have the different numbers of valence electrons, but the same number of protons
E. B and C

For sure B, D, and E are out. I chose A but the right answer is C.

Why is A incorrect? I mean, isotopes of an element only have changes in the number of neutrons, but protons and electrons stay the same, isn't it?
 
A is incorrect because you assume that all atoms of a given are similar because they are the same type of atom (same number of protons).

The REASON they behave the same is because they have the same number of valence electrons. This is similar to atoms in the same group having similar properties for the same reason.
 
Back
Top