ISOTOPES

3rd FORM CHEMISTRY

● Atomic number is unique to a particular element.
(Eg. All atoms of Mg have an atomic number of 12)

● The number of neutrons is NOT unique to a

particular element. There are some atoms of Mg that
have 12 neutrons, others which have 13 and others
which have 14.
Atoms of the same element that
have the same number of protons
but different number of neutrons are
called ISOTOPES
(i.e. They have the same ATOMIC
NUMBER but different MASS
NUMBER)
ISOTOPES HAVE:
● The same chemical properties (Since they have the
same number and arrangement of electrons)

● Different physical properties (Because of the

different numbers of neutrons)
CARBON
Carbon-12 (C-12) Carbon-13 (C-13) Carbon 14 (C-14)
HYDROGEN
Protium Deuterium Tritium

NOTE: HYDROGEN IS THE ONLY ELEMENT THAT

HAS DIFFERENT NAMES FOR ITS ISOTOPES
CHLORINE
Chlorine-35 Chlorine-37
RADIOACTIVE
ISOTOPES
● Some isotopes have unstable nuclei

● In order to become stable they spontaneously eject

particles from the nucleus

● This is known as RADIOACTIVE DECAY

The time taken for half the nuclei
in a sample to undergo radioactive
decay is known as the HALF-
LIFE
CARBON-14
DATING
● Used to determine the age of plant and animal remains

● There is a specific amount of carbon-14 present in all living

organisms

● When an organism dies the carbon is no longer being

replenished

● The age of the specimen can be determined by the amount of

carbon-14 present in the sample
RADIOTHERAPY
● Utilizes radiation to control or cure cancer.

● Some of the particles and radiation emitted are able

to destroy cancer cells. This can be done both
externally and internally using various radioactive
isotopes as sources of radiation.
● Cobalt-60, Iodine-131 (Used for thyroid cancer),
Iridium-92 and Palladium-103
TRACERS
● Used to observe the functioning of organs and detect clots or
blockages

● Tracer is injected into the blood and a special device

used to detect the particles being emitted as it decays.

● Eg. Technetium-99, Iodine-131

PACEMAKERS
● Medical devices used to regulate the beating of the heart by
delivering a small electric charge to the cardiac muscle
● Pacemakers incorporate batteries containing radioactive
isotopes which produce energy to power the device as
they decay. (eg. Plutonium-238)

● These batteries last far longer than chemically powered

ones due to the long half-life
PACEMAKERS