If argon potassium and calcium have naturally occurring isotopes that have the same mass number 40. Explain how this is possible?

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1200930

2026-04-28 09:20

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Isotopes of an element have the same mass number but differ in the number of neutrons. In the case of argon, potassium, and calcium, each has isotopes with a mass number of 40, but they are different elements with distinct atomic structures. For example, argon-40 has 18 protons and 22 neutrons, potassium-40 has 19 protons and 21 neutrons, and calcium-40 has 20 protons and 20 neutrons. This phenomenon occurs because the mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons, allowing different combinations of these particles across different elements.

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