Question

Atoms of different elements with the same number of neutrons are called:

• A. Isotopes
• B. Isomers
• C. Isobars
• D. Isotones

Hint:

Isotones have the same number of neutrons, which gives them similar nuclear properties, but different chemical properties.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Concept.
Two atoms of different elements have different proton counts by definition, so if their neutron counts still match, that shared property gives them a specific name.

Step 2: Match the term.
This is different from isotopes, which need the same element, isobars, which need the same mass number, or isomers, a molecular structure term, and is specifically called isotones.

Step 3: Final Answer.
Atoms of different elements with the same number of neutrons are called Isotones.

Answer 2

Lining up what property each of these four terms actually compares makes the answer clear without needing a worked example.

1. Isotopes: This term compares atoms by matching protons and varying neutrons, the opposite pairing to what the question describes.
2. Isomers: This term compares molecules by their structural arrangement, not atoms by their sub-atomic particle counts at all.
3. Isobars: This term compares atoms by matching total mass number while allowing both protons and neutrons to vary, which is a different match than same neutron count.
4. Isotones: This term compares atoms by matching neutron count while allowing protons, and therefore the element and mass number, to vary, which is exactly the pairing described in the question.

Only isotones is defined around matching neutron counts across different elements, which is precisely what the question is asking about.

So the correct answer is Isotones.