Solveeit Logo

Question

Question: What is the difference between ion and an isotope?...

What is the difference between ion and an isotope?

Explanation

Solution

In this we have to differentiate between ion and an isotope through their definition, examples, through their number of electrons and neutrons etc. Now you can easily answer the statement.

Complete answer:
We will differentiate between the two i.e. ion and an isotope in the tabular form because it's easy way to understand them and learn them.
Their difference is as below-

Sr No.PropertyIonIsotopes
1.DefinitionIons are the atoms which have positive or negative charge.Isotopes are those species which have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons.
2.FormationThey are formed when the atom undergoes either oxidation(i.e. loses electrons) or reduction (i.e. gain electrons).They are formed when the nucleus of an atom gains one neutron.
3.ChargeIons can either positively or negatively charge depending on their loss or gain of electrons.They do not carry any charge.
4.Number of protonsNumber of protons remains the same.They differ by the number of protons.
5.Number of electrons.They differ by the number of electrons.Number of electrons remains the same.
6.ExamplesClC{{l}^{-}} is the anion of chlorine,Na+N{{a}^{+}} is the cation of sodium atom etc.715N_{7}^{15}Nis the isotope of nitrogen,817O_{8}^{17}O is the isotope of oxygen atom etc.

So, it’s easy to distinguish the ion and isotope in the tabular form rather than in the paragraph form.

Note:
Don’t get confused in the isotopes and isotones. Isotopes are those species which have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons whereas on the contrary isotones are the species which have the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons.