Question

In a sample of ethyl ethanoate $\left(C{H}_{3}COO{C}_2{H}_5\right)$, the two oxygen atoms have the same number of electrons but the different number of neutrons. Which of the following is the correct reason for it?

(a) one of the oxygen atoms has gained electrons

(b) one of the oxygen atoms has gained protons

(c) the two oxygen atoms are isotopes

(d) the two oxygen atoms are isobars

Answer 1

(c) The two O-atoms in $\left(C{H}_{3}COO{C}_2{H}_5\right)$ can have the different number of neutrons only if the two O-atoms are isotopes. It is because isotopes of an element have the same number of protons (and electrons) but the different number of neutrons.