Isotopes

And Isotopy
 Isotopes
 Isotopes are different atoms of the same
element that have same number of protons
and electrons but different numbers of
neutrons.
They have different mass due to difference
in neutron number.
 The occurrence of these different isotopes
is known as isotopy.
 Let’s Look at Chlorine for a moment….

• The element chlorine is made up a mixture of 2

different chlorine atoms. Cl-35 makes up 75% of
the element while 25% is made up of the other
atom Cl-37
• Cl-35: 17 P, 17 e, 18n @ 75%
• Cl-37: 17P, 17 e, 20n @25%
SO…..To find the RAM of Chlorine:
• Mass * % (isotope 1) + mass* % (isotope 2) =
• (37* 25)+ (35*75) = 9.25+26.25= 35.5amu
• Relative atomic mass (RAM): is another term
for atomic mass which can be found on the
periodic table for each element
 Other examples

 Most Elements (E ) have > 1 isotope but not all isotopes are stable.
 The unstable one decay into other isotopes.
 The % of each isotope of an E in a sample is referred to as the
abundance of an isotope.
  
Characteristics of Isotopes

• Same # of protons and electrons

• Different mass# because of different neutron #
• Identical chemical properties ( depend on electronic
structure and charge of nucleus)
• Slightly different physical properties eg. Mass
• Examples of isotopes: apart from Carbon, Hydrogen
• Neon 10th element (20,21,22),
• Silicon 14th ( mass: 28, 29, 30)
 Radioactive Isotopes
Atoms with unstable nuclei are called radioactive
element.
most synthetic and some naturally occurring isotopes are
radioactive.
Radioactive isotopes: isotopes with unstable nuclei
Radioactive isotopes will eject: alpha particles ,beta
particles and gamma radiation
By ejecting these particles the nucleus becomes stable
The emission of both alpha and beta particles changes
the # of protons creating a different kind of atom
 Radioactive decay
• When an unstable nucleus decays, there are three ways
that it can do so.
• It may give out:-
an alpha particle (we use the symbol ) , ( consist of 2 P and 2 N
and have charge of +2)
a beta particle (symbol ) ( consist of 1e- & charge of -1)
a gamma ray (symbol ) ( has no mass or charge, just high
energy radiation)
 Alpha particle

 Helium nucleus 4 2H 2p+,

2n° is ejected
 When ejected it leads to a
decrease in atomic # by 2
and a mass by 4
 Eg. Uranium has mass 238,
P# 92  He (alpha
particle)  thorium (Th)
with mass 234 and proton
# 90
 Beta particle

 Are high speed electrons

 It results in an increase proton # by 1
 The mass is unchanged
 One of the neutron is changed to a proton and an
electron
 Proton stays inside the nucleus
 Electron is ejected
 Eg. C-14 ejects beta particle
 C has 6 P+ BUT 1P+ more makes It Nitrogen with the
7P+ and 7 n° and 7e -
 Gamma rays
 Electronic waves of short wave
length usually follow the emission
of alpha or beta particles
 Does not affect the atomic # or
mass#
 Just extra energy being given off
Uses of Radioactive Isotopes
 Diagnosing and treating diseases.
 Eg. Radioactive Co60 destroys cancerous cells with beams of gamma
radiation, killing cancerous cells that are sensitive to radiation.
Eg. Plutonium-238 can be used to create pacemakers ( control beating of
heart), as PU undergoes natural radioactive decay, it emits energy which is
used in pacemaker battery to generate current.
Tracers: short lived radioactive elements injected into body to see if organs
are working properly eg. Iodine-131 is used to image and carry out studies in
Thyroid gland
Carbon-14 dating: Used to calculate the age of plant and animal remains.
Makes use of fact that C-14 found in all living things have half life of 57000
years. So if remains had half of expected C-14 expected then the remains
was 57000yrs old.
Agriculture- to control pest
Energy- when radioactive isotopes eg uranium 235 or Plutonium-239 splits
(nuclear fission), produces energy
 Group work PRESENTATION
• 3-4 Members in group
• Present a power point presentation on one
Radioactive isotope Present on Radioactive isotope
• Will be done in front of class for a MAJOR grade • All about it in terms of – mass, # n,
• DUE DATE: MONDAY 28th OCT p+, e-
• Cobalt – 60 • How was it found? Who found it?
• Californium-252 (background)
• Plutonium-238 • USes.!!! (focus on the USES)
• Iodine-131
• Sodium-24 • Bring your materials on Thursday
• Thallium-201 24th to prep on presentation in
• Carbon-14 groups. Will give u my class time.
• Hydrogen-3 (tritium)