An isotope is a variant of an element that has a different number of neutrons in its nucleus. This gives it a different atomic mass, which is why it is called an isotope. The number of protons in the nucleus is what determines which element the atom is. What is an example of isotope? An isotope is an atom of an element with a different number of neutrons in its nucleus. For example, the element carbon has two isotopes: carbon-12 (6 protons and 6 neutrons) and carbon-13 (6 protons and 7 neutrons). Is a isotope an atom? An isotope is an atom of a chemical element with a certain number of neutrons in the nucleus, in contrast to the number of protons in the nucleus which defines the element. All atoms of a given element have the same number of protons in their nucleus, but the number of neutrons in the nucleus can vary.
Why isotopes are formed?
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons.
The number of protons in an atom's nucleus determines which element the atom is, and thus the number of electrons orbiting the nucleus determines an atom's chemical properties. The number of neutrons in an atom's nucleus has very little effect on an atom's chemical properties, but it does affect the atom's mass.
The vast majority of atoms have a single isotope, called the "natural" or "stable" isotope, which is the isotope with the longest half-life. The half-life of an isotope is the time it takes for half of the atoms of that isotope to decay into another element.
Some elements have more than one stable isotope, and some have unstable isotopes with very short half-lives. Unstable isotopes decay into other elements at a fixed rate, and this decay can be used to date rocks and fossils. What is another word for isotope? The term "isotope" refers to atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. The different isotopes of an element have different atomic masses, but the same atomic number.
What are the 5 uses for isotopes?
1. Isotopes can be used to date the age of rocks and minerals.
2. Isotopes can be used to determine the composition of the Earth's mantle and crust.
3. Isotopes can be used to study the formation of the solar system.
4. Isotopes can be used to study the history of the universe.
5. Isotopes can be used to create new elements.