Which pair of atoms are isotopes of each other?

• A. Atom C: 7 protons, 7 neutrons; Atom D: 6 protons, 6 neutrons
• B. Atom E: 6 protons, 6 neutrons; Atom F: 7 protons, 6 neutrons
• C. Atom A: 6 protons, 6 neutrons; Atom B: 6 protons, 7 neutrons
• D. Atom G: 6 protons, 7 neutrons; Atom H: 7 protons, 6 neutrons

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
2. Identify the number of protons for each atom given, since the proton number defines the element.
3. Compare pairs of atoms to see which have the same proton number but different neutron numbers.
4. For example, if Atom A has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, and Atom B has 6 protons and 7 neutrons, they have the same proton number but different neutron numbers, making them isotopes.
5. Verify that other pairs do not meet this criterion by checking if their proton numbers differ, which means they are different elements, not isotopes.