The two isotopes of elemental chlorine are :

The two isotopes of elemental chlorine are :

$^{35}_{17}$C and $^{36}_{17}$C
$^{34}_{17}$C and $^{36}_{18}$C
$^{35}_{17}$C and $^{37}_{18}$C
$^{35}_{17}$C and $^{37}_{17}$C
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UPSC CDS-2 – 2024
Isotopes of an element are atoms that have the same number of protons (atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons (leading to different mass numbers). The atomic number is represented by the subscript, and the mass number by the superscript before the element symbol. Chlorine (Cl) has an atomic number of 17. Assuming the element symbol ‘C’ in the options is a typo for ‘Cl’, option D, $^{35}_{17}$C and $^{37}_{17}$C, correctly shows the same atomic number (17) but different mass numbers (35 and 37), fitting the definition of isotopes of Chlorine-17.
– Atomic number (number of protons) defines the element.
– Mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons.
– Isotopes of the same element have the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
Naturally occurring chlorine is a mixture of two main isotopes: $^{35}_{17}$Cl (approximately 75.77% abundance) and $^{37}_{17}$Cl (approximately 24.23% abundance). The average atomic mass of chlorine is approximately 35.45 u.
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