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Which of the following does not match the characteristics of an Isotope?
  • a)
    Isotopes of some elements are radioactive
  • b)
    Isotopes are the atoms of different elements
  • c)
    Isotopes differ in number of neutrons
  • d)
    Isotopes have similar chemical properties
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Which of the following does not match the characteristics of an Isoto...
Explanation:

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but differ in the number of neutrons. Here are the characteristics of isotopes:

1. Isotopes of some elements are radioactive:
Some isotopes of certain elements are radioactive, meaning they have unstable nuclei that decay over time, emitting radiation in the process. This characteristic is due to the imbalance between the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, leading to an unstable atomic configuration. Radioactive isotopes are used in various applications, including medicine (radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging) and dating archaeological artifacts (carbon dating).

2. Isotopes are the atoms of the same element:
Isotopes are atoms of the same element, meaning they have the same number of protons. For example, carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon because they all have six protons. However, they differ in the number of neutrons (carbon-12 has 6 neutrons, carbon-13 has 7 neutrons, and carbon-14 has 8 neutrons).

3. Isotopes differ in the number of neutrons:
The main characteristic that distinguishes isotopes is the difference in the number of neutrons. While the number of protons determines the element's identity, the number of neutrons can vary, resulting in different isotopes of the same element. These isotopes may have different physical properties, such as atomic mass and stability.

4. Isotopes have similar chemical properties:
Isotopes of the same element have similar chemical properties because they have the same number of protons and electrons. Chemical reactions primarily involve the electrons in the outermost energy level, known as the valence electrons. Since isotopes have the same number of valence electrons, they tend to exhibit similar chemical behavior and form similar compounds.

Conclusion:
Among the given options, option 'B' does not match the characteristics of an isotope. Isotopes are not atoms of different elements but rather atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
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Community Answer
Which of the following does not match the characteristics of an Isoto...
Elements with the same atomic number but a different mass number are defined as “Isotopes”.
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Which of the following does not match the characteristics of an Isotope?a) Isotopes of some elements are radioactiveb) Isotopes are the atoms of different elementsc) Isotopes differ in number of neutronsd) Isotopes have similar chemical propertiesCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Which of the following does not match the characteristics of an Isotope?a) Isotopes of some elements are radioactiveb) Isotopes are the atoms of different elementsc) Isotopes differ in number of neutronsd) Isotopes have similar chemical propertiesCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following does not match the characteristics of an Isotope?a) Isotopes of some elements are radioactiveb) Isotopes are the atoms of different elementsc) Isotopes differ in number of neutronsd) Isotopes have similar chemical propertiesCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following does not match the characteristics of an Isotope?a) Isotopes of some elements are radioactiveb) Isotopes are the atoms of different elementsc) Isotopes differ in number of neutronsd) Isotopes have similar chemical propertiesCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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