CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Atomic structure

Atomic structure: explain question

Explain4 marksStandard

The element chlorine has two isotopes, $\ce{^{35}_{17}Cl}$ and $\ce{^{37}_{17}Cl}$ .

(a) Define the term isotope. (b) Explain why these two isotopes have the same chemical properties. (c) Explain why these two isotopes have different physical properties (limited to mass and density).

How this question is marked

4 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 4 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.

Explain means: Give the reasons or the mechanism: why or how something happens. Link each point to the next with because, so or which means. A list of facts with no links usually loses the reasoning marks.

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