What is the difference between an isotopic and isoelectronic species?

Isotopes are chemical species that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons as each other in their nuclei. For example, Deuterium (H2) and Tritium (H3) are isotopes of Hydrogen.Chemical species can be said to be isoelectronic when they have the same number of electrons, for example O2- and F- are isoelectronic ions as they both have 10 electrons. You can also have isoelectronic molecules, for example both N2 and CO2 have 14 electrons.

SK
Answered by Sohail K. Chemistry tutor

21692 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Magnesium is in Group 2 of the Periodic Table. It has a number of naturally occurring isotopes, including 24Mg and 26Mg. (a) (i) Explain, in terms of the subatomic particles in the atoms, why 24Mg and 26Mg are isotopes.


Explain why benzene requires use of a halogen carrier catalyst to react with bromine while phenol does not.


What is a disproportionation reaction?


(Chemistry A-level) What is a dative covalent bond?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning