Chapter 40, Problem 16A

Is plutonium an isotope of uranium or is it a completely different element?

To determine

Whether the Plutonium is isotope of uranium or completely different atom.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The isotopes are the form of different or same element that has same atomic number and different atomic mass number.

The atomic number of an element is same as the number of proton in the nucleus of that atom. It is necessary condition for two elements to be isotope that the number of protons in the nucleus of both atoms must be same.

The atomic number of uranium is 92 and atomic number of plutonium is 94. So, the number of protons in the nucleus of uranium and plutonium are 92 and 94. As the number of protons in the nucleus of plutonium is not same as the number of protons in the nucleus of uranium. So, the Plutonium is not the isotope of the uranium and it is completely different element.

Conclusion:

Thus, plutonium is not the isotope of uranium and it is completely different element.