Isotopes are different forms of atoms of the same chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei. This means they share the same atomic number and chemical properties but differ in their atomic mass and some physical properties
. Key points about isotopes:
- They belong to the same element because they have the same number of protons (atomic number).
- Their difference lies in the number of neutrons, which changes their mass number (total protons + neutrons).
- Isotopes can be stable or unstable (radioactive).
- For example, carbon has isotopes carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14, all with 6 protons but with 6, 7, and 8 neutrons respectively
- The term "isotope" means "same place," referring to their position on the periodic table
In summary, isotopes are variants of an element's atoms differing in neutron count but chemically similar due to the same proton count.
