What is the Difference Between Isotonic and Isoelectronic Species?

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The main difference between isotonic and isoelectronic species lies in the number of neutrons and electrons, respectively.

  • Isotonic species are chemical species that have identical numbers of neutrons, also known as isotones. They have different numbers of protons, and the neutron number is denoted by N, while the proton number is denoted by Z. For example, boron-12 and carbon-13 nuclei are isotones, as both contain 7 neutrons in each atom.
  • Isoelectronic species are chemical species that have the same number of electrons. They can be ions or atoms, and their electronic configuration is the same. For example, O2- and F- are isoelectronic ions, as they both have 10 electrons.

In summary:

  • Isotonic species have the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons.
  • Isoelectronic species have the same number of electrons.

Comparative Table: Isotonic vs Isoelectronic Species

Isotonic and isoelectronic species are two types of chemical species that have common characteristics. Here is a table comparing the differences between them:

Property Isotonic Species Isoelectronic Species
Definition Isotonic species have identical numbers of neutrons. Isoelectronic species have the same number of electrons.
Examples Boron-12 and Carbon-13 nuclei, both containing 7 neutrons. O2- and F- ions, both having 10 electrons.
Electron Configuration Different electron configurations, as they have different numbers of protons. The same electron configuration, as they have the same number of electrons.

In summary, isotonic species have the same number of neutrons, while isoelectronic species have the same number of electrons. This difference in the number of electrons or neutrons affects the chemical properties and behavior of these species.