Chapter 3: Problem 37

All barium atoms have 56 protons. One isotope of barium has 74 neutrons, and another isotope has 81 neutrons. Write the symbols for these two isotopes of barium.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The symbols for the two isotopes of barium are \(_{56}^{130} Ba\) and \(_{56}^{137} Ba\).

Step by step solution

Find the atomic mass number for the first isotope

Firstly, calculate the atomic mass number of the isotope with 74 neutrons. The atomic mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Here, there are 56 protons and 74 neutrons, so the atomic mass number A for this isotope is \( 56 + 74 = 130 \).

Write the symbol for the first isotope

The symbol for the isotope is written as \(_{56}^{130} Ba\), where 56 is the atomic number (number of protons, which is constant for barium), 130 is the atomic mass number (protons + neutrons), and Ba is the symbol for barium.

Find the atomic mass number for the second isotope

Now, calculate the atomic mass number for the isotope with 81 neutrons. As in step 1, the atomic mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons in the atom's nucleus, which is \(56 + 81 = 137 \).

Write the symbol for the second isotope

The symbol for this isotope is written as \(_{56}^{137} Ba\), where 56 is the atomic number (which is constant for barium), 137 is the atomic mass number (protons + neutrons), and Ba is the symbol for barium.

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All barium atoms have 56 protons. One isotope of barium has 74 neutrons, and another isotope has 81 neutrons. Write the symbols for these two isotopes of barium.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Find the atomic mass number for the first isotope

Write the symbol for the first isotope

Find the atomic mass number for the second isotope

Write the symbol for the second isotope

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