Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons from "summary" of Chemistry Simplified NCERT Class 11 by Sanjay Sharma
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This means that isotopes of an element have identical atomic numbers, which determine the element's identity, but varying mass numbers due to the different numbers of neutrons. For example, hydrogen has three isotopes - protium, deuterium, and tritium. Protium has one proton and no neutrons, deuterium has one proton and one neutron, and tritium has one proton and two neutrons. Despite having different numbers of neutrons, all three isotopes of hydrogen have one proton, giving them an atomic number of 1. Isotopes exhibit similar chemical properties since they have the same number of protons, which determines an element's chemical behavior. However, isotopes may have slightly different physical properties due to variations in their atomic masses caused by the differing numbers of neutrons. The presence of isotopes can be detected through mass spectrometry, a technique that separates ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio. By analyzing the mass spectra of elements, scientists can identify the presence of isotopes and determine their relative abundances in a sample. Isotopes play a crucial role in various fields, including medicine, environmental science, and archaeology. For instance, isotopes are used in radiometric dating to determine the age of rocks and fossils. Isotopes are also utilized in medical imaging techniques like PET scans, where radioactive isotopes are introduced into the body to track metabolic processes.- The concept of isotopes having the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons is fundamental to understanding the diversity and behavior of elements in the periodic table. By recognizing the presence of isotopes and their unique characteristics, scientists can unlock a wealth of information about the natural world and its processes.
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