Allotropes and

Isotopes
Grade 10 Chemistry
 Allotropes

★ Allotropes are different structural forms of the same element in

the same physical state.
★ They have different PHYSICAL PROPERTIES but the same CHEMICAL
PROPERTIES.
★ Allotropy is the existence of different structural forms of the
same element in the same physical state.
Diamond and Graphite
★ Diamond and graphite are both allotropes of carbon. They are both composed of
carbon atoms but the difference lies in how they are bonded to each other.
Diamond
★ Diamond is bonded covalently to four other carbon atoms arranged in a
tetrahedron around it.
★ A crystal of diamond consists of millions of these carbon atoms bonded
to one another throughout the crystal by strong covalent bonds.
★ Due to the strength of these bonds, diamond is extremely hard and has a
high melting point.
Graphite

★ Graphite is bonded covalently to three other carbon atoms forming

hexagonal rings of atoms which link to form flat sheets or layers of
carbon atoms.
★ The fourth electron of of each atom is not bonded to another atom and
becomes delocalised.
★ The covalent bonds between the carbon atoms in the layers are very
strong, however the layers are held together by weak forces of
attraction.
So you won’t forget...
 Exam tip:
It is important that you can draw and describe the
structure of diamond and graphite and that you can
relate their properties and uses to their structures.
Questions:

1. Why are diamonds extremely hard?

2. Why can graphite conduct electricity?
3. Define the term allotrope.
4. State one similarity between diamond and graphite.
5. State one use of both diamond and graphite.
True or false

A. Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring solid

B. Graphite is a bad conductor of electricity.
C. Graphite has a tetrahedral structure.
D. Diamond is used to make jewelry.
E. In diamond, each atom is bonded to three others.
F. In graphite, the layers are held together by weak forces of attraction.
G. Diamond and graphite are giant molecular crystals.
H. Diamond and graphite are both comprised of carbon atoms.
I. Graphite has lubricative properties.
Isotopes
● Isotopes are different forms of the same element that are different from each
other according to the number of neutrons they have in their nuclei.
● The difference in the number of neutrons between the various isotopes of an
element means that the various isotopes have different masses.
● There two main types of Isotopes: STABLE ISOTOPES which have nuclei that
do not decay to other isotopes but may themselves be produced by the decay
of radioactive isotopes and RADIOACTIVE (UNSTABLE) ISOTOPES which have
nuclei that spontaneously decays over time to form other isotopes.
STABLE ISOTOPES
Stable isotopes have a stable proton-neutron combination and
do not display any sign of decay. This stability comes from the
amount of neutrons present in an atom. If an atom has too
many or too few neutrons, it is unstable and tends to
disintegrate. Since stable isotopes do not decay, they do not
produce radiation
USES OF STABLE ISOTOPES
● Stable isotopes are dependable tools for determining many
facts about geological materials, such as their age and where
they came from.
● Scientists performing environmental and ecological
experiments use stable isotopes of oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur,
nitrogen and carbon.
 TYPES OF STABLE ISOTOPES

ISOTOPES OF HYDROGEN AND CARBON

Hydrogen tritium is a radioactive isotope
RADIOACTIVE (UNSTABLE)
ISOTOPES
Radioactive isotopes have an unstable combination of
protons and neutrons. These isotopes decay, emitting
radiation that includes alpha, beta and gamma rays. They
also have nuclei that spontaneously decay over time to
form other isotopes.Radioactive isotopes can be
dangerous to living things by directly killing cells.. They
can also cause damage to equipment such as
electronics.
Here's a simple quiz...

The atomic number of an isotope refers to the _____.

The mass number of an isotope refers to the _____.

The protons of an atom are located _____.

The neutrons of an atom are located _____.

An isotope of hydrogen contains 2 neutrons. Construct the symbol for the isotope.
UNDERSTANDING ALPHA, BETA AND GAMMA
RAYS
USES OF UNSTABLE ISOTOPES
In medicine, gamma rays emitted by radioactive elements
are used to detect tumors inside the human body.

Food irradiation -- the process of exposing food to a

controlled level of gamma rays -- kills many types of
bacteria, making food safer to eat.
EXAMPLES OF RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES

Cobalt-59, with 27 protons and 32 neutrons, and cobalt-60, with

27 protons and 33 neutrons.

Hydrogen tritium is a radioactive isotope.

Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive isotope.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION