Two atoms same atomic mass number but differen atomic number what is difference?

1 Answer
Apr 29, 2018

The difference is in the number of neutrons.

Explanation:

Examples would be #""_16^40"S",color(white)(l) _17^40"Cl",color(white)(l)_18^40"Ar",color(white)(l)_19^40"K"#, and #""_20^40"Ca"#.

These nuclei are isobars: they have different numbers of protons but enough neutrons to give them the same atomic mass.