selenium74s

Selenium-74 is a stable isotope of the element selenium. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. Selenium has several stable isotopes, and selenium-74 is one of them. Its atomic number is 34, meaning it has 34 protons, and its mass number is 74, indicating it has a total of 74 protons and neutrons in its nucleus. This means a selenium-74 atom has 40 neutrons (74 - 34 = 40).

Selenium-74 is the second most abundant stable isotope of selenium, making up approximately 9.86% of the natural abundance of selenium. Its presence in various selenium compounds contributes to their isotopic signatures. Like other stable isotopes, selenium-74 does not undergo radioactive decay. It is found naturally in the Earth's crust and is also present in biological systems as part of selenium's essential role in various enzymes and proteins. Researchers utilize selenium-74 in various scientific studies, including mass spectrometry, tracer studies, and geological research, where its unique mass can be distinguished from other selenium isotopes. The understanding of selenium isotope abundances, including selenium-74, is important in fields ranging from geochemistry to nutritional science.