Concept explainers
The property that distinguishes an atom of one element (carbon. for example) from an atom of another element (oxygen, for example) is
a. the number of electrons.
b. the number of protons.
c. the number of neutrons.
d. the combined number of protons and neutrons.
Introduction:
Matter is any substance found in universe which has mass and occupies space. All matter is composed of atoms, which are small particles that are difficult to study because of their size.
Answer to Problem 1U
Correct answer:
The property that distinguishes an atom of one element (carbon, for example) from an atom of another element (oxygen, for example) is the number of protons. Therefore, option b. is correct.
Explanation of Solution
Reason for the correct statement:
The number of protons determines the atomic number of an element.
Option b. is given as “the number of protons”
As different elements are determined by the proton numbers, which is the atomic number, option b is the right answer.
Hence, option b. is correct.
Reasons for the incorrect statements:
Option a. is given as “the number of electrons.”
The number of electron determines the chemical behavior of an atom. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option c. is given as “the number of neutrons.”
The difference in neutron number determines the isotopes. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option d. is given as “the combined number of protons and neutrons.”
The combined number of neutrons and protons determines the atomic mass of an atom. So, it is a wrong answer.
Hence, options a, c, and d are incorrect.
The number of protons distinguishes an atom of one element from an atom of another element.
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Chapter 2 Solutions
Biology
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- What is a proton? A. A negatively charged particle B. A positively charged particle C. An element on the periodic table D. Any particle found in the nucleusarrow_forwardMagnesium has an atomic number of 12. Which of the following statements is true of a neutral magnesium atom? a. It has 12 protons, 12 electrons, and 12 neutrons. b. It has 12 protons, 12 electrons, and six neutrons. c. It has six protons, six electrons, and no neutrons. d. It has six protons, six electrons, and six neutrons.arrow_forwardDistinguish between an element, an atom, and a molecule.arrow_forward
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- Distinguish between each of the following pairs of terms: Neutron and proton Atomic number and mass number Atomic weight and mass numberarrow_forwardWhich of the following statements about chemicalbonds is true?a. Covalent bonds are stronger than ionic bonds.b. Hydrogen bonds occur between two atoms ofhydrogen.c. Bonding readily occurs between nonpolar andpolar molecules.d. A molecule of water is unlikely to bond with anion.arrow_forwardtwo atms of an element have the same number of protons electrons plus neutrons protons plus neutrons electronsarrow_forward
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