Isotope: Difference between revisions
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'''Isotopes''' are forms of [[chemical elements]] which have the same [[atomic number]] but a different [[atomic mass]], or the same number of [[proton]]s in the [[nucleus|atomic nucleus]] but different numbers of [[neutron]]s. | '''Isotopes''' (from Greek Ισότοπο) are forms of [[chemical elements]] which have the same [[atomic number]] but a different [[atomic mass]], or the same number of [[proton]]s in the [[nucleus|atomic nucleus]] but different numbers of [[neutron]]s. | ||
For example, carbon-12 (<sup>12</sup>C), carbon-13 (<sup>13</sup>C) and carbon-14 (<sup>14</sup>C) are three isotopes of carbon, each containing six protons and also containing six, seven or eight neutrons, respectively. While carbon-12 is the most common form, <sup>13</sup>C is magnetically active, and it is therefore useful for [[magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) and [[nuclear magnetic resonance]] spectroscopy. Carbon-14 is radioactive, and is therefore useful for radiation tracing and age determination. | For example, carbon-12 (<sup>12</sup>C), carbon-13 (<sup>13</sup>C) and carbon-14 (<sup>14</sup>C) are three isotopes of carbon, each containing six protons and also containing six, seven or eight neutrons, respectively. While carbon-12 is the most common form, <sup>13</sup>C is magnetically active, and it is therefore useful for [[magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) and [[nuclear magnetic resonance]] spectroscopy. Carbon-14 is radioactive, and is therefore useful for radiation tracing and age determination. | ||
Revision as of 12:47, 9 January 2011
Isotopes (from Greek Ισότοπο) are forms of chemical elements which have the same atomic number but a different atomic mass, or the same number of protons in the atomic nucleus but different numbers of neutrons.
For example, carbon-12 (12C), carbon-13 (13C) and carbon-14 (14C) are three isotopes of carbon, each containing six protons and also containing six, seven or eight neutrons, respectively. While carbon-12 is the most common form, 13C is magnetically active, and it is therefore useful for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Carbon-14 is radioactive, and is therefore useful for radiation tracing and age determination.