50Ti

50Ti is a stable isotope of the element titanium with mass number 50. It contains 22 protons and 28 neutrons in the nucleus, and like other even-even titanium isotopes it has a ground-state spin of 0+. 50Ti is one of the five stable isotopes of titanium, the others being 46Ti, 47Ti, 48Ti, and 49Ti.

Natural abundance and significance: In nature, 50Ti accounts for roughly 5% of titanium atoms. The isotope is non-radioactive and does not undergo beta decay, so it remains stable on geological timescales. The stability of 50Ti is partly related to the closed neutron shell at N = 28, which contributes to its relative binding among neighboring isotopes.

Production and occurrence: Titanium isotopes, including 50Ti, are produced in stellar nucleosynthesis and are present in terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials. The relative abundances of titanium isotopes reflect a combination of stellar source material and geological processing.

Uses and research: 50Ti is used in isotopic ratio studies in geochemistry and cosmochemistry. Small anomalies in 50Ti (and in other titanium isotopes) observed in meteorites and planetary materials are employed to investigate presolar grains and the contributions of different stellar processes to the solar system’s material. Such isotopic information helps scientists understand nucleosynthesis pathways and the chemical evolution of the Galaxy.

In summary, 50Ti is a stable, naturally occurring titanium isotope with 22 protons and 28 neutrons, contributing about 5% to natural titanium and serving as a tool in isotopic and cosmochemical research.