Destroyer GC isotopes ?????

[rmm30]

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from destroyer "Isotopes have virtually identical physical and chemical properties"

Im sure the chemical properties are the same. However how can they have identical physical properties? Im convinced this is wrong.
Consider density for example; a physical property. Mass in general; a physical property?

Could someone weigh in?

Maybe the phrasing "virtually" has something to do with this answer. idk.

 

[rmm30]

any input would be appreciated.

 

[jazane08]

This may be way off, but I think it has to do with the number of electrons being consistent. The only difference in isotopes is the varying number of neutrons, which all reside in the nucleus and are not involved in bonding. However, the number of electrons stays the same so only the same number of electrons can participate in bonding (chemical bonds=chemical property). And recall that a definition for physical properties is one that does not change the chemical properties. So the chemical properties can't differ if the number of electrons are always the same......... but then you are right about mass and density being different. I think isotopes usually differ by +/- a few neutrons. So would isotopes 100 and 102 really differ by a lot in physical properties? Probably not?? I don't know..hopefully someone can give you a better answer.

 

[rmm30]

This may be way off, but I think it has to do with the number of electrons being consistent. The only difference in isotopes is the varying number of neutrons, which all reside in the nucleus and are not involved in bonding. However, the number of electrons stays the same so only the same number of electrons can participate in bonding (chemical bonds=chemical property). And recall that a definition for physical properties is one that does not change the chemical properties. So the chemical properties can't differ if the number of electrons are always the same......... but then you are right about mass and density being different. I think isotopes usually differ by +/- a few neutrons. So would isotopes 100 and 102 really differ by a lot in physical properties? Probably not?? I don't know..hopefully someone can give you a better answer.

thank you for responding. I get what you are saying how the isotopes only differ by a few neutrons so that wouldn't cause a huge shift in physical properties such as density. That was where I was getting at when i mentioned the "virtually" caveat in the problem. But Ive thought about it and I have to disagree. Consider Hydrogen and Deuterium. They only differ by one neutron but that doubles the mass. I would imagine this effect is dramatic as opposed to (isotopes 100 and 102). I will assume destroyer made an error