2.2 Isotopes

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How many neutrons

The number nucleon there is the atom is call a nucleon number or mass number

We can use the nucleon number and proton number to work out the number of neutron there is.

Number of neutrons= Nucleon number-Proton Number

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What are isotopes

Atoms of same element always have same proton number but in many element there is a different of number of neutron this is call and isotope .

Many element are mixture of isotope .

Isotopes are properly written showing the number of proton and n and nucleons. However you will often see isotopes written with just the number of nucleon (e.g Chlorine-35) Different isotopes of same element have same chemical properties but different physical properties.

Some isotopes like hydrogen-3 (tritium) are radioactive. If isotopes are radioactive their nucleus are unstable and so it breaks down over a period of time(Decays) As it decay the nucleus give ray we call these isotopes radioisotopes.

Radiation given out can be harmful as it ill cells in our body .

Uses of isotope

Although radioisotopes are dangerous they have many practical use in field.

Medicine: use in cancer treatment to kill cancer cell or locate tumors.

Industrial: is used to find oil or gas leaking by injecting radioisotopes into them tracking leeks with Geiger counter