Q40P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

Chlorine has two naturally occurring isotopes, ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl. What is the mass number of each isotope? How many protons, neutrons, and electrons are present in each?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

• The Mass number: ³⁵Cl (35), ³⁷Cl (37)
• Number of protons: ³⁵Cl (17), ³⁷Cl (17) 
• Number of neutrons: ³⁵Cl (18), ³⁷Cl (20)
• Number of electrons: ³⁵Cl (17), ³⁷Cl (17)

Step 1: Isotopes

The isotopes of an element are atoms with same atomic number but different mass numbers The number of electrons and protons are same for isotopes.

Step 2:

Mass number of ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl isotopes is 35 and 37 respectively.

Isotopes	Mass number	Number of protons	Number of neutrons	Number of electrons
35Cl	35	17	18	17
37Cl	37	17	20	17