Isotóparány

Isotóparány refers to the relative abundance of different isotopes of a particular element found in nature or in a specific sample. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This difference in neutron count leads to variations in atomic mass. For example, carbon has three main isotopes: carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14. In most natural samples, carbon-12 is the most abundant, followed by carbon-13, and carbon-14 is present in very small trace amounts. The isotóparány quantifies these proportions.

The isotóparány of an element can vary depending on its origin and geological history. This variation is often expressed as a ratio or a percentage. For instance, the ratio of carbon-13 to carbon-12 (denoted as ¹³C/¹²C) is a well-studied parameter. These ratios are typically reported relative to a standard reference material. Understanding isotóparány is crucial in various scientific fields, including geology, geochemistry, archaeology, and environmental science. It is used for dating artifacts (like radiocarbon dating using carbon-14), tracing the origin of materials, studying past climates, and understanding biological processes. Natural processes like evaporation, precipitation, and biological uptake can selectively enrich or deplete certain isotopes, leading to measurable differences in isotóparány.