Comparing Atoms, Ions, and Isotopes

What are ions and isotopes?

1. An ion is a charged atom, while an isotope is an atom of an element with the same atomic number but different atomic mass.

Answer

The statement that compares the atom of an element to an ion and an isotope is: the ion of an atom will have a different charge but the same mass. The isotope of an atom will have a different mass.

When we talk about ions and isotopes, we are delving into the realm of atomic structure. An ion is a charged atom, meaning it has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a positive or negative charge. On the other hand, an isotope is an atom of an element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons, leading to varying atomic masses.

For example, Magnesium can exist as an ion with a 2+ charge denoted as Mg2+, indicating that it has lost two electrons. This creates an imbalance in the number of protons and electrons, resulting in a charge. On the other hand, Carbon has isotopes such as C-12 and C-14, where the number of protons remains the same but the number of neutrons differs, affecting the atomic mass.

Therefore, the comparison between an atom, its ion, and its isotope lies in the charge and mass differences. An ion will have a different charge from its neutral atom counterpart but the same mass, while an isotope will have a different mass due to varying numbers of neutrons. Understanding these distinctions can provide insights into the behavior and properties of different forms of elements.