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Chapter 2: Problem 86

Which of the following symbols provides more information about the atom: \({ }^{23} \mathrm{Na}\) or \({ }_{11} \mathrm{Na}\) ? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The isotope \( ^{23}Na \) provides more information about the atom as it includes both the atomic mass and the element's identity whereas \( _{11}Na \) only gives the atomic number.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Symbols

The symbol \( ^{A}_{Z} X \) presents an element. Here, A represents the atomic mass number (the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus), Z stands for the atomic number (the total number of protons which defines the element) and X is the the chemical symbol for the element.
02

Interpreting the First Isotope

The first isotope is \( ^{23}Na \). It's understood as sodium (referred by its symbol 'Na') with the atomic mass number of 23. However, the atomic number is not provided here, but we know it's 11 since it's sodium.
03

Interpreting the Second Isotope

The second isotope is \( _{11}Na \). Here, the atomic number is given as 11, which is the number of protons, and we know this atomic number refers to sodium. However, the atomic mass is not provided in this format.
04

Comparison and Conclusion

Contrasting both isotopes, \( ^{23}Na \) provides more information as it includes both the chemical identity of the atom (which is Sodium represented by Na) and the atomic mass number (which is 23 - the sum of protons and neutrons in the atom). However, the other isotope \( _{11}Na \) only shows the atomic number, or the number of protons, which alone does not suffice to provide complete information about the specific isotope of the element.

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