Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Isotopes are atoms with the same number of protons (the same element) but a different number of neutrons.
About Isotopes
- Each element has many isotopes but some are stable and others are unstable so they decay quickly into other isotopes or a different element.
- Different isotopes of the same element have the same atomic number but different atomic mass due to the different numbers of neutrons.
- Different isotopes of the same element have the same chemical properties but they have different physical properties. This means they cannot be separated by chemical processes but they can be separated by physical ones.
- Different isotopes of the same element may have different boiling points, different melting points, may diffuse at different rates and, as has already been stated, have a different mass. This means isotopes can be separated by processes such as Distillation, Chromatography and Centrifuge.
Examples
| Hydrogen-1 | Hydrogen-2 | Lithium-7 | Lithium-6 |
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| Hydrogen always has 1 proton but isotope there are no neutrons. | Hydrogen always has 1 proton but in this isotope there is 1 neutron. This isotope of Hydrogen is known as Deuterium. | Lithium always has 3 protons but in this isotope there are 4 neutrons. | Lithium always has 3 protons but in this isotope there are 3 neutrons. |
Isotopic Abundance
- Different isotopes of the same element do not all appear in the same quantities. Some isotopes are more common than others.
- The Periodic Table orders the elements due to their chemical properties but since isotopes of the same element have the same chemical properties different isotopes are not included. Instead an average atomic mass is given based on the mass of each isotope and how common it is.