Question
There are three stable forms of neon: neon-20, neon-21, and neon-22. Which statement is true? (1 point)
Their atomic masses differ.
They are radioactive, like all isotopes.
Their number of protons differ.
The number of neutrons are the same.
Their atomic masses differ.
They are radioactive, like all isotopes.
Their number of protons differ.
The number of neutrons are the same.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The true statement among the options provided is:
**Their atomic masses differ.**
Neon-20, neon-21, and neon-22 have different numbers of neutrons, which means their atomic masses are different. Specifically, neon-20 has 10 neutrons, neon-21 has 11 neutrons, and neon-22 has 12 neutrons.
The other statements are not correct because:
- While they are isotopes, only neon-21 and neon-22 are not stable, so it's not true that all isotopes are radioactive.
- The number of protons is the same for all three isotopes (10 protons).
- The number of neutrons does not remain the same; it varies between the isotopes.
**Their atomic masses differ.**
Neon-20, neon-21, and neon-22 have different numbers of neutrons, which means their atomic masses are different. Specifically, neon-20 has 10 neutrons, neon-21 has 11 neutrons, and neon-22 has 12 neutrons.
The other statements are not correct because:
- While they are isotopes, only neon-21 and neon-22 are not stable, so it's not true that all isotopes are radioactive.
- The number of protons is the same for all three isotopes (10 protons).
- The number of neutrons does not remain the same; it varies between the isotopes.