izotópokra

Izotópok are variants of a particular chemical element that differ in neutron number, although all isotopes of an element have the same number of protons. Since the number of protons determines the chemical element, all isotopes of an element are the same element. For example, carbon has three naturally occurring isotopes: carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14. Carbon-12 has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, carbon-13 has 6 protons and 7 neutrons, and carbon-14 has 6 protons and 8 neutrons. The number following the element's name, such as in carbon-14, is the mass number, which is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

The physical properties of isotopes of an element can vary slightly, particularly their mass and density. However, their chemical properties are very similar because the electron configuration, which dictates chemical behavior, is determined by the number of protons and electrons, and is therefore the same for all isotopes of an element. Some isotopes are stable, meaning they do not undergo radioactive decay. Others are unstable, or radioactive, and decay over time, emitting radiation. The rate of decay is characterized by the isotope's half-life. Isotopes have numerous applications in fields such as medicine, industry, and scientific research, including radiometric dating and nuclear power generation.