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Chapter 2: Problem 4

Describe what all isotopes of magnesium have in common and also how they are different.

Short Answer

Expert verified
All isotopes of magnesium have in common 12 protons and electrons for neutral atoms and thus identical chemical properties. However, they differ in the number of neutrons and thus the atomic weights - for example, magnesium-24, magnesium-25, and magnesium-26 have 12, 13, and 14 neutrons respectively.

Step by step solution

01

Properties of an Atom

An atom is made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The number of protons determines the element. The total number of protons and neutrons (the atomic weight or mass number) and the number of electrons define the specific isotope of the atom
02

Common Characteristics of Magnesium Isotopes

All isotopes of magnesium share the same atomic number, which is 12. This implies that all magnesium isotopes have 12 protons in their nucleus, and 12 electrons in their atomic shell for a neutral atom. All isotopes of magnesium are therefore chemically alike because they have the same electronic arrangement.
03

Difference in Magnesium Isotopes

Isotopes of magnesium differ in the number of neutrons in the nucleus, which leads to different atomic weights or mass numbers. For instance, magnesium-24 has 12 neutons, magnesium-25 has 13 neutrons, and magnesium-26 has 14 neutrons - hence are different isotopes of magnesium.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Give two interpretations of the number "12.011" found below the symbol for carbon on the periodic table.

What fraction or percentage of carbon atoms has a mass of \(12.011\) amu?

Examine the periodic table and find the symbol for magnesium. a) How does the number given just below the symbol for magnesium (rounded to two decimal places) compare with the average mass (in amu) of one magnesium atom? b) How does the number given just below the symbol for magnesium (rounded to two decimal places) compare with the mass (in grams) of \(6.022 \times 10^{23}\) magnesium atoms?

Which has more atoms: \(1.008 \mathrm{~g}\) of hydrogen or \(39.95 \mathrm{~g}\) of argon? Explain your reasoning.

a) How many elephants are there in a dozen elephants? b) Which has more animals-a dozen elephants or a dozen chickens? c) How many elephants are there in a mole of elephants? d) Which has more animals-a mole of elephants or a mole of chickens? e) Which has more atoms-a dozen \(\mathrm{H}\) atoms or a dozen Ar atoms? f) Which has more atoms -a mole of hydrogen atoms or a mole of argon atoms?
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