Chemistry: The Central Science (13th Edition)

Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 10: 0321910419
ISBN 13: 978-0-32191-041-7

Chapter 2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions - Exercises - Page 75: 2.26b

Answer

These are sulfur isotopes.

Work Step by Step

In the symbols $\frac{31}{16}X$ and $\frac{32}{16}X$ the bottom number, the atomic number, tells how many protons an element has and identifies the element. Thus, in order to find the element, look on the periodic table to find the element with an atomic number of 16. Upon doing this, it makes it clear that these are sulfur isotopes.
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