E S

OP
O T
IS
 WHAT IS AN ISOTOPE?

Atoms that have the same number of

protons but a different number of neutrons.

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/isotopes-and-atomic-mass/latest/isotopes-and-atomic-mass_en.html
PROPERTIES OF ISOTOPES

• There are a small number of isotopes for each

element found in nature.

share most of the same physical and chemical

properties.
Radioactive Isotopes : unstable and their nuclei
change over time. Can break down, giving off small
particles and energy.
The nuclei of some isotopes are unstable. They can split
up or ‘decay’ and release radiation in the form of rays
and particles, plus a large amount of energy.
 NAMING ISOTOPES

Potassium - 39

Carbon - 12 Calcium - 40
 WHAT IS THE ATOMIC MASS OF AN ELEMENT?

Atomic mass : weighted average of the masses of all the natural

isotopes of that element.

Hydrogen
Atomic
mass