Which term refers to forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons?

Which term refers to forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons?

• A. Isotopes
• B. Acid
• C. Toxic
• D. Hazard

Answer: (A)

Isotopes are forms of the same element that share the same number of protons but have different numbers of neutrons. The proton count determines the element’s identity, so it stays the same, while varying neutrons change the mass and can affect stability. For example, carbon-12 and carbon-14 both have 6 protons, but different numbers of neutrons. The other terms describe unrelated concepts—an acid refers to proton-donating behavior, toxic describes harmful effects, and hazard denotes risk—so they don’t explain why these forms differ.

Isotopes are forms of the same element that share the same number of protons but have different numbers of neutrons. The proton count determines the element’s identity, so it stays the same, while varying neutrons change the mass and can affect stability. For example, carbon-12 and carbon-14 both have 6 protons, but different numbers of neutrons. The other terms describe unrelated concepts—an acid refers to proton-donating behavior, toxic describes harmful effects, and hazard denotes risk—so they don’t explain why these forms differ.