Isotopes: Definition and Example
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This leads to different mass numbers for these isotopes.
Example: Carbon Isotopes
- Carbon-12 (¹²C)
- Atomic Number: 6
- Neutrons: 6
- Electric Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p²
- Carbon-14 (¹⁴C)
- Atomic Number: 6
- Neutrons: 8
- Electric Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p²
Both isotopes have the same electric configuration since they are the same element (Carbon), differing only in the number of neutrons.
Isobars: Definition and Example
Isobars are atoms that have the same mass number but differ in the number of protons (hence, different elements).
Example: Argon and Calcium Isobars
- Argon-40 (⁴⁰Ar)
- Atomic Number: 18
- Neutrons: 22
- Electric Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶
- Calcium-40 (⁴⁰Ca)
- Atomic Number: 20
- Neutrons: 20
- Electric Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s²
Both of these isobars have the same mass number (40) but differ in their atomic numbers and thus their electric configurations.
Summary
- Isotopes: Same atomic number, different neutrons, and mass numbers (e.g., ¹²C and ¹⁴C).
- Isobars: Same mass number, different atomic numbers (e.g., ⁴⁰Ar and ⁴⁰Ca).
Understanding these concepts helps in grasping the behavior of elements and their variations in nature.