There are three stable forms of neon: neon-20, neon-21, and neon-22. Which statement is true?(1 point)
Responses
The number of neutrons are the same.
The number of neutrons are the same.
Their number of protons differ.
Their number of protons differ.
They are radioactive, like all isotopes.
They are radioactive, like all isotopes.
Their atomic masses differ.
Their atomic masses differ.
The correct statement is that their atomic masses differ.
The correct statement is "Their atomic masses differ."
To determine this, we need to understand that isotopes are atoms of the same element but with different numbers of neutrons. The atomic number of neon, which is the number of protons, is the same for all isotopes of neon. In this case, neon has an atomic number of 10.
The atomic mass of an isotope is the sum of the protons and neutrons in its nucleus. Neon-20 has 10 protons and 10 neutrons, so its atomic mass is 20. Neon-21 has 10 protons and 11 neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 21. Finally, neon-22 has 10 protons and 12 neutrons, making its atomic mass 22.
Since the atomic masses of neon-20, neon-21, and neon-22 are different, the correct statement is that "Their atomic masses differ."