Isotopes

Isotopes

1. The atom of a particular ELEMENT will all have the same number as protons. Their atomic number will be the same.

   • However, the atoms of an element can have different numbers of neutrons
     • So their mass number will be different

2. Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons are called ISOTOPES.

   • The different isotope of an element have identical chemical properties. How ever some isotopes are RADIOACTIVE

3. Chemical Symbols

   • The full chemical symbol for an element shows its mass number at the top, and atomic number at the bottom.
     • Full symbol for CARBON
       • It tells us that carbon has six protons .It will also have six electrons, because the number of protons electrons in an atom is the same
       • The symbol also tells us that the total number of protons and neutrons in a carbon atom is 12.
       • (Note that you can work out the number of neutrons from the mass number and atomic number)
         • In this example, it is 12-6=6 neutrons.

4. Isotopes Of Hydrocarbon

   • Most hydrocarbon atoms consist of just one proton and one electron, but some also have one or two neutrons
     • The table summarises these isotopes
       • 1 PROTON, 1 ELECTRON- 1-1=0
       • 1 PROTON, 1 ELECTRON- 2-1=1
       • 1 PROTON, 1 ELECTRON- 3-1=2

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