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JAMB Physics 1991 Question 45

Question 45

Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics

Which of the following statements are TRUE of isotopes? I. Isotopes of an element have the same chemical properties because they have the same number of electrons II. Isotopes of elements are normally separated using physical properties III. Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons in their nuclei.

  1. A.I and II only
  2. B.I and III only
  3. C.II and III only
  4. D.I, II and III.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (I, II and III.)

Explanation

Isotopes have the same number of protons and electrons, so they behave the same chemically; because of this they must be separated by physical methods that depend on their different masses (e.g. diffusion or a mass spectrometer). All three statements are true.