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Periodic Table Gets Some Flex

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Phrase "electrons are variable" refers to the various oxidation states an element can occur in substances. For example, Cr(III) and Cr(VI) weigh slightly different.

jm of OH 9:28AM January 05, 2011

"But oxygen can gain an extra neutron or two, changing the element’s weight (electrons are also variable but so light that their weight isn’t taken into account)." No, the electrons are not variable - if the number of electrons (and protons) were different it wouldn't be the same element. FAIL

Thomas Goodey 3:30AM January 05, 2011

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