ISOTOPE Meaning and
Definition
-
Isotope is a term used in the field of chemistry to describe a variant form of an atom that possesses the same atomic number but different atomic mass. Specifically, it refers to atoms of a given element with the same number of protons in its nucleus but differing number of neutrons. The concept of isotopes arises from the fact that some elements can exist in different forms due to varying numbers of neutrons, leading to changes in atomic mass and physical properties.
Isotopes can be designated by indicating the element's symbol followed by a hyphen and the mass number, such as carbon-14 or uranium-235. It is noteworthy that isotopes of the same element exhibit similar chemical behavior since they possess the same number of electrons and therefore have identical electron configurations. However, due to differences in atomic mass caused by varying numbers of neutrons, isotopes may possess distinctive physical properties, such as differing boiling or melting points, stability, or radioactivity.
Isotopes have important applications in various scientific fields. For instance, in the field of medicine, isotopes can be used in diagnostic techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) scans or for the purpose of cancer treatment through radiation therapy. Additionally, isotopes play a crucial role in radiometric dating methods, allowing scientists to determine the age of ancient objects or geological formations. Overall, the concept of isotopes presents a fundamental aspect of atomic structure and has considerable significance in numerous areas of scientific research.
-
A term applied to either of two bodies which are chemically identical yet differ slightly in atomic weight, such as ordinary lead and the end-product of radium disintegration.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Top Common Misspellings for ISOTOPE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for ISOTOPE
Etymology of ISOTOPE
The word "isotope" was coined in 1913 by the British scientist Frederick Soddy. It is derived from the Greek words "isos", which means "equal", and "topos", which means "place". Soddy used this term to reflect the fact that isotopes of an element occupy the same place in the periodic table and therefore have similar chemical properties. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons in their atomic nuclei.
Similar spelling word for ISOTOPE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
