Question

Please help!

What do both an atom and an ion of the isotope of sodium, Na, contain?

a) 11 electrons
b) 12 neutrons
c) 23 protons
d) 23 neutrons

I really don't get the question. Ok, firstly, choice c and d are out, because it is the RMM of Na that is 23, not the number of neutrons or protons.
Then for choice a, an atom of Na has 11 electrons, but an ion of the isotope of Na wouldn't have 11 electrons, since it's an atom, right? But choice b is weird as well, because an atom of Na will have 12 neutrons, but an isotope wouldn't isnt it? Because isotopes have the same number of protons and electrons but different number of neutrons right???

So what is this question????

Answer 1

I think you are misreading the question. I think when they say "isotope" that they mean to compare the SAME isotope of a Na atoms with the SAME isotope of Na ion. Your logic is good.
A particular isotope of Na will have 11 electrons, 11 protons, 12 neutrons. The Na ion of that same isotope will have 10 electrons (or fewer), 11 protons, 12 neutrons.

Answer 2

I think it is (a) but i have classified of chemistry in which they say the answer is (b). But the answers are sometimes wrong. 95% is corrrect in classified