In the isotopes Potassium-39 and Potassium-40, which quantity is different between the two?

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Multiple Choice

In the isotopes Potassium-39 and Potassium-40, which quantity is different between the two?

Explanation:
Isotopes differ in the number of neutrons while keeping the same number of protons. Potassium has 19 protons, so a neutral potassium atom also has 19 electrons. The two isotopes shown have mass numbers 39 and 40, which means their neutron counts are 39 − 19 = 20 and 40 − 19 = 21, respectively. Therefore, the quantity that differs is the number of neutrons. Since neutrons change, the mass number also changes, but the defining difference between isotopes is the neutron count.

Isotopes differ in the number of neutrons while keeping the same number of protons. Potassium has 19 protons, so a neutral potassium atom also has 19 electrons. The two isotopes shown have mass numbers 39 and 40, which means their neutron counts are 39 − 19 = 20 and 40 − 19 = 21, respectively. Therefore, the quantity that differs is the number of neutrons. Since neutrons change, the mass number also changes, but the defining difference between isotopes is the neutron count.

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