Distinguish isotope and ion changes

Supplied materials

• All measurements and observations below are supplied classroom examples. They are not data from actual learners or a claim about a particular real site.
• Paper or a browser document for a labeled drawing, table or explanation.
• Worked problem inputs: Two particles both have 6 protons; one has 6 neutrons and the other 8. Explain what changed and what did not.
• Assessment case 1: Two atoms each have 8 protons; their neutron counts are 8 and 10. What follows? Which inference or prediction is best supported?
• Assessment case 2: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Ten protons and nine electrons.
• Assessment case 3: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Ten protons and eleven electrons.
• Assessment case 4: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Ten protons and ten electrons.
• Assessment case 5: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Element identity unchanged but neutron count differs.
• Assessment case 6: A particle has 12 protons and 10 electrons. What is warranted? Which inference or prediction is best supported?

Learn the idea

Isotopes of an element differ in neutron count. Ions differ in electron count relative to protons. Ordinary ion formation does not change the element’s proton number.

Isotope change means neutron count differs while proton count stays. Positive ion means fewer electrons than protons. Negative ion means more electrons than protons. Neutral atom means electron and proton counts equal.

For the supplied mechanism problem, Two particles both have 6 protons; one has 6 neutrons and the other 8. Explain what changed and what did not. They are isotopes of the same element because proton counts match. Their mass numbers are 12 and 14. Different neutron counts alone do not make different elements.

1. Read the supplied problem and mark the structures, processes or quantities named: Two particles both have 6 protons; one has 6 neutrons and the other 8. Explain what changed and what did not.
2. Draw the relevant boundary, pathway or comparison and label it using the scientific ideas above.
3. Write a causal explanation or calculation, showing how each observation supports the result.
4. Compare your reasoning with the worked solution; name a condition that would change or limit the inference.

Check your reasoning

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Take it further

New comparison: two particles have 12 protons and 12 versus 13 neutrons; a third has 12 protons and 10 electrons. Expected: first pair are isotopes; the third is a +2 ion regardless of its separately specified neutron count.

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