Why some elements have different number of protons and neutrons?

An element’s atomic number is equal to the number of protons in the nuclei of any of its atoms. The mass number of an atom is the sum of the protons and neutrons in the atom. Isotopes are atoms of the same element (same number of protons) that have different numbers of neutrons in their atomic nuclei.

Do all elements have the same number of protons and neutrons?

Atoms of a particular element must have the same number of protons but can have different numbers of neutrons. When an element has different variants that, while all having the same number of protons, have differing numbers of neutrons, these variants are called isotopes.

Can an atom have a different number of protons and neutrons?

If two atoms have different numbers of protons, they are different elements. However, if two atoms have the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons we refer to them as isotopes.

What is also known as an element that has the same number of protons but different number of neutrons?

Isotopes. An isotope is one of two or more forms of the same chemical element. Different isotopes of an element have the same number of protons in the nucleus, giving them the same atomic number, but a different number of neutrons giving each elemental isotope a different atomic weight.

Can different elements have the same number of protons?

An atom with two protons is always a helium atom. The number of protons in an atom is called its atomic number (Z). This number is very important because it is unique for atoms of a given element. All atoms of an element have the same number of protons, and every element has a different number of protons in its atoms.

Why do all atoms have the same number of protons?

The proton number is always the same as the atomic number for the element. The protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus of the of the atom and make up the major it of the mass of the atom. In order for the atom to remain electrically neutral the protons and electrons must balance each other.

How an atom is different if it has a different number of protons?

Scientists distinguish between different elements by counting the number of protons in the nucleus (Table 2.4. 1). If an atom has only one proton, we know that it’s a hydrogen atom. An atom with two protons is always a helium atom….Atomic Number.

Does every atom of the same element have the same atomic number?

Each element has its own atomic number, which is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus. Isotopes of an element contain different numbers of neutrons. Elements are represented by an atomic symbol.

What are the differences among the same element?

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons but the same number of protons and electrons. The difference in the number of neutrons between the various isotopes of an element means that the various isotopes have different masses.

Do all elements have the same number of protons and electrons?

Atoms always have an equal number of protons and electrons, and the number of protons and neutrons is usually the same as well. Adding a proton to an atom makes a new element, while adding a neutron makes an isotope, or heavier version, of that atom. Moreover, which elements have the same number of protons?

What happens when you add a proton to an atom?

Adding a proton to an atom makes a new element, while adding a neutron makes an isotope, or heavier version, of that atom. Hereof, which elements have the same number of protons?

Do isotopes of the same element have the same mass?

These are called isotopes. They have the same number of protons (and electrons), but different numbers of neutrons. Different isotopes of the same element have different masses. Mass is the word for how much substance (or matter) something has. Click to see full answer.

Why do we get more neutrons than protons in a nucleus?

As the nuclei get larger, the neutron well gets deeper as compared to the proton well and you get more neutrons than protons.