The different atoms of the element oxygen are represented as ₈O¹⁶, ₈O¹⁷, ₈O¹⁸
(a) What are such atoms called?
(b) What factor is responsible for different superscripts 16,17 and 18 on the symbol though they are atoms of the same element.
(c) Give the nuclear composition of ₈O¹⁷.

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Solution

(a) These atoms are called the isotopes of the element.
(b) The superscript actually refers to the mass number of the atoms. As mass number of isotopes are different, these figures are also different.
(c) In ₈O¹⁷, atomic number (Z) = 8.
Mass number (A) = Atomic Number (Z) + Number of neutrons
Number of Neutrons = (A - Z) = 17 - 8 = 9
Therfore, ₈O¹⁷has 8 protons and 9 neutrons.

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Similar questions

Three different atoms of oxygen are represented as :

${}_{8}^{16}O, {}_{8}^{17}O$ and ${}_{8}^{18}O$

(i) What do the subscripts (lower figures) and superscripts (upper figures) represent ?

(ii) What factor is responsible for the change in the superscripts 16, 17 and 18, though the element is the same ?

(iii) What is the usual name for such atoms of an element ?

(iv) Give the nuclear composition of ${}_{8}^{18}O$

_{6} C^{13}

_{8} O^{17}

3 d^{6}, 4 s^{2}

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