the.com/isotope
same element, different weight class — atoms that share a name but argue about heft
means One of two or more forms of the same chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, giving them different atomic masses.
from From Greek isos 'equal' plus topos 'place' — literally 'same place,' because isotopes sit in the very same spot on the periodic table despite their differing weights. The term was coined in the early 20th century, reportedly suggested by the writer and physician Margaret Todd to chemist Frederick Soddy, who needed a word for elements that were chemically identical yet physically distinct.
- twin protons
- Same proton count, different neutron count
- radioactive clocks
- Carbon-14 dates bones up to 50,000 years
- medical spies
- Radioactive tracers light up tumors from inside
- hydrogen trio
- Comes as protium, deuterium, and tritium
- unstable kin
- Some isotopes decay in fractions of a second
carbon-14 — radioactive isotope used in dating organic materials up to 50,000 years old
uranium-235 — fissile isotope that powers nuclear reactors and weapons, 0.72% of natural uranium
iodine-131 — radioactive isotope released in chernobyl 1986 and fukushima 2011 disasters