Question

Which statements describe elements? Check all that apply.

Atoms of the same element can have different numbers of protons.
Atoms of the same element always have the same number of electrons.
Atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons.
Atoms of the same element always have the same number of neutrons.
Atoms of the same element always have the same number of protons.
Atoms of the same element can be isotopes of that element.

Answer 1

Correct statements:
- Atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons. (True — these are isotopes.)
- Atoms of the same element always have the same number of protons. (True — the number of protons defines the element.)
- Atoms of the same element can be isotopes of that element. (True — isotopes are atoms of the same element with different neutron counts.)

Incorrect statements:
- Atoms of the same element can have different numbers of protons. (False — that would make them different elements.)
- Atoms of the same element always have the same number of electrons. (False — atoms can gain or lose electrons to form ions.)
- Atoms of the same element always have the same number of neutrons. (False — isotopes differ in neutron number.)