Answer:
The correct answer is option A: they are isotopes.
Explanation:
From atom X we know that the number of protons is 7 and the number of neutrons is 7 and from atom Z we know that the number of protons is 7 and the number of neutrons is 8.
Since the number of protons of atom X and atom Z is the same, we have that atom X and atom Z is the same element. The difference in the number of neutrons tells us that atom X and atom Z are isotopes. Remember that an isotope is one element that has atoms with different numbers of neutrons.
The mass number is given by:
[tex] A = p + n [/tex]
Where n is the number of neutrons and p is the number of protons.
For atom X and atom Z we have:
[tex] A_{x} = 7 + 7 = 14 [/tex]
[tex] A_{z} = 7 + 8 = 15 [/tex]
Hence, they have a different mass number.
We know that the element with 7 protons is nitrogen. The first isotope is [tex]^{14}_{7}N[/tex] and the second isotope is [tex]^{15}_{7}N[/tex]. Both isotopes are stables (they are not radioactive).
Therefore, the correct answer is option A: they are isotopes.
I hope it helps you!
