isotoopid

Isotoopid are variants of a particular chemical element. All isotopes of an element have the same number of protons in their nucleus, which determines their atomic number and therefore their identity as that element. However, isotopes of an element differ in the number of neutrons in their nucleus. This difference in neutron count leads to variations in their atomic mass.

For example, hydrogen has three common isotopes: protium, deuterium, and tritium. Protium, the most abundant isotope of hydrogen, has one proton and no neutrons. Deuterium has one proton and one neutron, making its nucleus twice as massive as protium. Tritium has one proton and two neutrons, giving it three times the mass of protium's nucleus. Despite these mass differences, all three are still considered hydrogen because they each possess a single proton.

The physical properties of isotopes of an element can vary slightly due to their different masses, such as melting point, boiling point, and density. However, their chemical properties are generally very similar because chemical behavior is primarily determined by the number and arrangement of electrons, which is dictated by the number of protons. Isotopes can be stable or radioactive. Radioactive isotopes, also known as radioisotopes, undergo radioactive decay, emitting particles and energy. This property makes them useful in various applications, including medical imaging, carbon dating, and nuclear power generation.