What is the difference between a radioisotope and a normal isotope?

Answer 1

An isotope is one of two or more atoms with the same atomic number but different atomic weights because of having more or less neutrons. An isomer is a molecule of a compound that exists in more than one form, each form having different arrangements of atoms but the same molecular weight.

Answer 2

Isotopes and Isomers

An isotope refers strictly to pure elements. Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei are called isotopes. For instance, hydrogen-1 (1H) and hydrogen-2 (2H or deuterium) are isotopes of each other.

An isomer refers strictly to molecules. Two molecules that have the same composition (i.e., the same molecular formula) but are different in the connectivity, shape or orientation, are called isomers. For instance, n-propanol (1-propanol) and isopropanol (2-propanol or rubbing alcohol) are isomers of each other. Ethanol is not an isomer of propanol, however, because they have different formulas.

See the Web Links for more information about isomers and isotopes to the left.

One way I remember the difference between the two is that isotope ends in e and therefore refers to having the same element. On the other hand, Isomer ends in r therefore referring to the different aRRangement available for molecules with the same molecular formula.
Isotopes are elements that are chemically the same, but are physically different. In other words they have the same atomic number, but different mass number. Isobars are chemically different, but physically the same. In other words they have the same mass number, but different atomic number.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element but differing in the numbers of neutrons. Isomers have the same molecular formula but different structure.

Answer 3

Isotopes are chemically identical atoms with different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei (and of course, different masses). Many isotopes are stable and can be found naturally. Radioactive isotopes are atoms with unstable atomic nuclei, and they emit energy and particles from the nucleus to tranmute (change) themselves into stable isotopes.

Answer 4

A radioactive isotope is emitting particles such as a fast moving electron or positron (radiation) and this is changing its structure. Eventually it may reach a stable configuration and will no longer decay. An stable isotope is simply a name for a form of an element which is chemically identical to other atoms of the element but with a different number of neutrons.

Answer 5

The difference between isotopes and radiostopes is that isotopes are spelt I-S-O-T-O-P-E-S AND radiostopes is spelt R-A-D-I-O-S-T-O-P-E-S

Although the Above is true it is not the difference between the two the real difference is because since the nuclei in the radioactive isotopes are unstable these unstable isotopes are called Radionuclei.

Answer 6

A radioisotope is an isotope that's radioactive. That is, it emitts Alpha particles, or Beta particles or Gamma Rays or combinations of these radiations.

Answer 7

Radioisotopes are radioactive and unstable isotopes.

Answer 8

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