Isotopes

All the atoms of a particular element have the same number of protons. This proton number or atomic number determines the chemical properties of an atom. However, the number of neutrons may vary within the atoms of an element.

 

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons are called isotopes of that element.

 

Or in other words,

Atoms of the same element with the same atomic number but different atomic masses are called isotopes of that element.

 

Example

The atomic number of carbon is 6. All carbon atoms have the same atomic number, but their mass number might differ because of different number of neutrons.

Most of the carbon atoms contain 6 protons and 6 neutrons, and has a mass number 12. However, some carbon atoms also exist with 6 protons and 8 neutrons, which gives it a mass number 14.

¹²C and ¹⁴C are isotopes of carbon.

 

 

Comparison of two isotopes of carbon

 

Electrons	6	6	Same
Protons	6	6	Same
Neutrons	6	8	Different
Atomic number	6	6	Same
Mass number	12	14	Different

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