How can cobalt-60 and cobalt-59 be the same elements but have different mass numbers?

Answer 1

Different number of neutrons.

Answer 2

First of all, Cobalt -60 and Cobalt- 59 are isotopes. That's why they are the same element but different in their atomic masses, and that's the definition of an isotope.

On the first look, these isotopes are really different in their masses (Look at the 60 and 59). And if you will get their atomic masses (mass x percentage of abundance in decimal no.), they are really different...

Research further to have more bases.

Answer 3

The chemical characteristics of cobalt are determined by the number of electrons around the atom. The number of electrons is the same as the number of protons in the nucleus. This number is the same for the Co-59 and Co-60. However Co-60 has one additional neutron in the nucleus. The nuclear properties are thus different, but not the chemical properties.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

The identify of an element is determined by the number of protons. All cobalt atoms have 27 protons.

But the number of neutrons in an element can vary.

Cobalt-60 has 33 neutrons, while cobalt-59 has 32.

Answer 6

They have different number of neutrons. The number of protons will tell you what the element is - not the mass!

Answer 7

Both are isotopes of cobalt having a different number of neutrons.