Explain Atomic number, Mass number, Isotopes and Isobars with some examples. Also give any two uses of isotopes.
Science
Class 9
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Atomic number :
The atomic number of an element is the total number of protons present in the atom of that element. For example, nitrogen has 7 protons in its atom. Thus, the atomic number of nitrogen is 7.
Mass number :
The mass number of an element is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons present in the atom of that element. For example, the atom of boron has 5 protons and 6 neutrons. So, the mass number of boron is 5 + 6 = 11.
Also Check : Write the distribution of electrons in carbon and sodium atoms
Isotopes :
These are atoms of the same element having the same atomic number, but different mass numbers. For example, chlorine has two isotopes with atomic number 17 but mass numbers 35 and 37 represented by 35/17 Cl, 37/17 Cl
Isobars :
These are atoms having the same mass number, but different atomic numbers i.e., isobars are atoms of different elements having the same mass number. For example, Ne has atomic number 10 and sodium has atomic number 11 but both of them have mass numbers as 22 represented by - 22/10 Ne, 22/11 Ne
The two uses of isotopes are
Also Check : How will you find the valency of chlorine, sulphur and magnesium?