Ge74

Ge-74, or Ge-74, is a stable isotope of the element germanium (atomic number 32). It has a mass number of 74, consisting of 32 protons and 42 neutrons. Ge-74 is one of the five naturally occurring stable germanium isotopes, the others being Ge-70, Ge-72, Ge-73, and Ge-76. In terrestrial materials it occurs as part of the natural isotopic composition of germanium, with its exact fractional abundance varying slightly between samples.

Ge-74 is not radioactive and has an effectively infinite half-life, making it stable on geological timescales. As an even-even nucleus (even number of protons and neutrons), it reflects the general stability associated with such configurations in mid-mass isotopes.

In addition to its natural occurrence, Ge-74 is relevant in isotopic and geochemical studies that rely on stable isotope measurements. Germanium isotopes, including Ge-74, are commonly used in mass spectrometry and as tracers in environmental, geological, and cosmochemical analyses. In astrophysical models of nucleosynthesis, Ge-74 is produced by neutron capture processes and helps constrain the production pathways for heavier germanium isotopes during stellar evolution.

Overall, Ge-74 is a stable, naturally occurring isotope that contributes to the isotopic diversity of germanium and plays a role in scientific techniques that utilize stable isotope measurements.