Chapter 3, Problem 53A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation :

Difference between the atomic number and mass number of an element needs to be explained. Whether atoms of different elements can have a same atomic number and a same mass number or not needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction :

The number of protons present in the nucleus is representing the atomic number of the element.

The mass number of an element is the total number of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom.

Answer to Problem 53A

The atomic number and mass number of an element are represented as:

Atomic number = Number of protons

Mass number = number of protons+ number of neutrons

Isobars are representing the atoms of different elements having the same mass number but a different atomic number.

The atomic number of two different elements cannot be the same.

Explanation of Solution

The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons present in the nucleus of the atom.

Atomic number = Number of protons

The mass number is also known as the atomic weight of the element.

Mass number = number of protons+ number of neutrons

The atoms of two different elements have the same mass number, they are termed as isobars.

Conclusion

The atomic number of an element is calculated by the number of protons, and for the mass number, the number of protons and neutrons is required. The mass number of different elements can be the same but the atomic number cannot be the same.