Isotopes

Isotopes

1. Atoms of the same element, with the same number of protons (atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons (mass number)

2. EG. Carbon - Generally has the mass of 12. Another isotope of carbon is Carbon - 14 which includes 2 extra neutrons. Carbon 14 is used for dating recent archeological artifacts

3. EG. Phosphorus - Generally has a mass number of 31. Another isotope of phosphorus is Phosphorus - 32 which includes 1 extra neutron. Phosphorus - 32 is sometimes used as a metabolic and ecological tracer, as well as for studies of neclestides and nucleric acids