A laboratory technician analyzes two neutral monoatomic species, X and Y. Nuclear analysis reveals that species X has 17 protons and 18 neutrons, whereas species Y has 17 protons and 20 neutrons. Both species are subsequently allowed to react separately with excess sodium metal under identical conditions. Based on this information, which of the following statements correctly compares species X and Y?

A) They form ionic compounds with sodium that have identical chemical formulas but different formula masses.

B) They exhibit fundamentally different chemical reactivity toward sodium because the extra neutrons alter valence electron bonding.

C) They represent atoms of two distinct elements because their total nucleon counts are different.

D) Species Y has a lower density and diffuses faster in the gas phase than species X due to its higher mass number.

Isotopes Transitional Reasoning Download PDF

Chemistry · Atomic Structure · Chemistry · Atoms & Subatomic Particles

1 Chemistry practice questions on Isotopes. Questions that build towards applied reasoning.

Atomic Structure · Chemistry

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