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

21025 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How can you work out, using the changes in oxidation numbers, which compound out of KCl, KBr and KI has the greatest reducing power?


State and explain how the attraction between nuclei and outermost electrons varies across group 3 (2 marks)


Explain the 3 pieces of evidence that disprove Kekule's model of benzene.


Explain why the product of a nucleophilic addition to butanone does not effect plane polarized light.


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