Answer:
Not all atoms of all the elements are the same. Here's why:
- Atoms have different numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons, which determines their unique characteristics. For example, a hydrogen atom has 1 proton, while a carbon atom has 6 protons.
- Atoms can also be different isotopes of the same element. For example, carbon can exist as three isotopes: carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14. These isotopes all have the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons, making them chemically identical but physically different.