Isotopes

SL 1.2
Course Content
Structure 1.2—The nuclear atom
Guiding question: How do the nuclei of atoms differ?

Structure 1.2.2—Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers
of neutrons.
Perform calculations involving non-integer relative atomic masses and abundance of
isotopes from given data.

Differences in the physical properties of isotopes Nature of science, Reactivity 3.4—How can isotope
should be understood. tracers provide evidence for a reaction mechanism?
Specific examples of isotopes need not be learned.
Review
• Determine the numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons in each of
these atoms

12 13 14

6 C 6C 6 C
Isotopes - Definition
• Isotopes are atoms of the same element (the same atomic number, the
same number of protons) with different masses (different numbers of
neutrons)

12 13 14

6C 6 C 6 C
99% of carbon atoms 1% of carbon atoms trace amounts of
mass is defined as 12 carbon atoms
How do we Know?
• Isotopes and their abundances can be identified by mass spectrometry
• This is covered in HL
Chemical and Physical Properties of Isotopes
• Isotopes have the same chemical properties
- Chemical reactions are determined by electrons, not neutrons
- (Actually, heavier isotopes have stronger bonds and react slower, but
you can pretend I didn’t tell you that because it involves quantum
chemistry that is definitely not in the course)

• Isotopes have different physical properties

- Particles (atoms or molecules) have different masses
Comparison H2O and D2O
• Normal hydrogen is 1H
• Deuterium is 2H or simply D
• Normal water is H2O, heavy water is D2O
• Predict the density of D2O
• Will D2O have a higher or lower melting and boiling point than H 2O?
Relative Atomic Mass
• The relative atomic mass (Ar) is the average mass of the atoms of an
element, relative to 12C = 12, taking into account the mass and
abundance of each isotope
• It is calculated as:
Mass of isotope 1 x abundance of isotope 1
100%
+ Mass of isotope 2 x abundance of isotope 2
100%
+ Mass of isotope 3 x abundance of isotope 3
100%
Example
• Calculating the Ar of chlorine
- 75.8% is 35Cl
- 24.2% is 37Cl
• 35 x (75.8/100) + 37 x (24.2/100) = 35.48

• Why is this (slightly) different to the value on the periodic table?

• Because different samples can have slightly different proportions of
different isotopes
• Why?
• Is that the whole truth? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotopes_of_chlorine
Questions
• Do the questions on the handout (2015/2016 questions)
Mean Questions
• It is possible that they will ask you to calculate the abundance of two
isotopes from the Ar
• A sample of bromine has an Ar of 79.90
and is made up of two isotopes, 79Br and 81Br
• (Simpler question) which isotope is more abundant?
• (Harder question) what is the abundance of the 79Br isotope?
• Create an expression with abundance of 79Br = x %, then solve
79.90
79 x + 8100 – 81 x = 7990
x = 55%
Uses of Isotopes
• What’s the use of isotopes (except for making Mr more complicated)?
• In small groups, research (10 minutes) and report:
- 235U in nuclear fuel and weapons – how is it separated from 238U?
- What are the three main types of radioactivity?
- What is heavy water used for (and why?)
- How does radiocarbon dating using 14C work?
- How does dating rocks using argon work?
- How is technetium used in medicine?
- How do PET scanners work?
Homework
• End of topic questions, book p.33