Isotopes

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Front

How is the mass number of an isotope calculated?

Back

The mass number is calculated by adding the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

Front

What is the atomic number of an element?

Back

The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.

Front

What is the significance of neutrons in an atom?

Back

Neutrons contribute to the mass of an atom and can affect the stability of the nucleus, influencing whether an isotope is stable or radioactive.

Front

How many protons does the isotope 12C have?

Back

The isotope 12C (Carbon-12) has 6 protons.

Front

What is the relationship between isotopes and atomic mass?

Back

The atomic mass of an element is a weighted average of the masses of its isotopes, taking into account their relative abundances.

Front

What is the difference between stable and unstable isotopes?

Back

Stable isotopes do not undergo radioactive decay, while unstable isotopes (radioisotopes) decay over time, emitting radiation.

Front

How many neutrons are in the isotope 24Na?

Back

The isotope 24Na (Sodium-24) has 11 protons and 13 neutrons.

Front

What is the role of isotopes in medical imaging?

Back

Certain isotopes are used in medical imaging techniques, such as PET scans, to help diagnose and monitor diseases.

Front

What is the neutron-to-proton ratio in stable isotopes?

Back

Stable isotopes typically have a neutron-to-proton ratio close to 1:1, but this can vary for heavier elements.