Indicate if the atoms in each pair have the same number of protons, neutrons, or electrons. (4.4, 4.5)c. ⁴⁰₁₈Ar, ³⁹₁₇Cl

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic number of each element. The atomic number is the subscript in the notation and represents the number of protons in the atom. For ⁴⁰₁₈Ar, the atomic number is 18, and for ³⁹₁₇Cl, it is 17.
2. Compare the number of protons in each atom. Since the atomic number of Ar is 18 and Cl is 17, they do not have the same number of protons.
3. Determine the number of electrons in each atom. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. Therefore, Ar has 18 electrons, and Cl has 17 electrons. They do not have the same number of electrons.
4. Calculate the number of neutrons in each atom. The number of neutrons is found by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number (superscript). For Ar, the number of neutrons is 40 - 18 = 22. For Cl, it is 39 - 17 = 22.
5. Compare the number of neutrons in each atom. Both Ar and Cl have 22 neutrons, so they have the same number of neutrons.

Key Concepts

Atomic Structure

Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus, while neutrons are neutral particles also located in the nucleus. Electrons are negatively charged and orbit the nucleus in electron shells. The number of protons defines the element, while the number of neutrons can vary, leading to different isotopes.

Isotopes

Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This difference in neutrons results in varying atomic masses. For example, the isotopes of argon (⁴⁰Ar and ³⁹Ar) have the same number of protons but differ in their neutron count, affecting their stability and properties.

Electron Configuration

The electron configuration of an atom describes the distribution of electrons among the various atomic orbitals. Atoms of the same element have the same number of electrons, which equals the number of protons in a neutral atom. Understanding electron configuration is crucial for predicting chemical behavior and bonding, as it influences how atoms interact with one another.