Endless Facts, One Snippet at a Time
Isotopes: Atoms with a Twist
- Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
- This neutron difference gives isotopes slightly different masses.
- Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 are famous isotopes—one stable, one radioactive.
- Stable isotopes don’t change, while unstable ones decay over time, releasing energy.
- Radioactive isotopes act like clocks, helping scientists date ancient fossils and rocks.
- Medical imaging uses isotopes to trace processes inside the human body.
- Some isotopes power nuclear reactors, providing energy for millions of homes.
- Isotopes of the same element behave nearly the same in chemistry but differ in weight and stability.
- Hydrogen has three isotopes: protium, deuterium, and tritium, each with unique roles in science.
- Isotopes show that even tiny changes in atoms can have huge effects in medicine, energy, and history.