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Although chemistry usually teaches us that isotopes only differ in neutron count and not reactivity, this is not actually the case. An illustration of this can best be seen when analysing isotope abundances versus their distance from the beach.

For instance, imagine sea water evaporating. The slightly ligther 1H isotope evaporates faster than the heavier dueterium 2H isotope, hence clouds contain more 1H. As these clouds move inland, the heavier water (2H containing), falls as rain sooner, meaning rain water closer to the sea contains more dueterium.

This same principle can be applied to all the elements, and although, strictly speaking isn't a chemical reaction, more of a physical process, you can see that this principle can be applied in certain reactions. so, yes, isotopes do differ in reactivity.

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Do isotopes of the same element react the same way?

Chemically isotopes (excepting H,D,T) are identical.


What makes isotopes of the same element chemically alike?

Isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons. They will also have the same number of electrons in a neutral state. Where they differ is in the number of neutrons in the nucleus. The chemical properties of an element are almost entirely determined by its electron structure, since chemical bonds can be understood as the transfer or sharing of electrons. This means isotopes of the same element will behave in the same way chemically. They will form the same chemical compounds and be largely indistinguishable from their isotopic brethren.


How are isotopes the same but different?

Isotopes are different forms of the same element which have different numbers of neutrons in their atomic nuclei. A given element is identified by the number of protons in its nucleus; that's its atomic number. Two different isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons, but each has a different number of neutrons in its nucleus. Different isotopes of the same element are chemically the same.


Are isotopes related to compounds?

Not directly. Isotopes are different forms of an element having different numbers of neutrons in their nucleus. But as different isotopes have the same chemical properties, they all can form the same compounds which function the same chemically.


The main difference isotopes of the same element has to do with the number of?

Isotopes of the same element have different numbers of neutrons.

Related Questions

Do isotopes of the same element react the same way?

Chemically isotopes (excepting H,D,T) are identical.


What makes isotopes of the same element chemically alike?

Isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons. They will also have the same number of electrons in a neutral state. Where they differ is in the number of neutrons in the nucleus. The chemical properties of an element are almost entirely determined by its electron structure, since chemical bonds can be understood as the transfer or sharing of electrons. This means isotopes of the same element will behave in the same way chemically. They will form the same chemical compounds and be largely indistinguishable from their isotopic brethren.


Is mixtures or isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons?

Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Mixtures, on the other hand, are combinations of different substances that are physically mixed together, but not chemically bonded.


How are isotopes the same but different?

Isotopes are different forms of the same element which have different numbers of neutrons in their atomic nuclei. A given element is identified by the number of protons in its nucleus; that's its atomic number. Two different isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons, but each has a different number of neutrons in its nucleus. Different isotopes of the same element are chemically the same.


Are isotopes related to compounds?

Not directly. Isotopes are different forms of an element having different numbers of neutrons in their nucleus. But as different isotopes have the same chemical properties, they all can form the same compounds which function the same chemically.


What is something and atom and isotope have in common?

Isotopes are different forms of the same element which have different numbers of neutrons in their atomic nuclei. A given element is identified by the number of protons in its nucleus; that's its atomic number. Two different isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons, but each has a different number of neutrons in its nucleus. Different isotopes of the same element are chemically the same.


How do atoms of the same element compare?

Atoms of the same element have the same number of protons, which determines their identity. However, they may have different numbers of neutrons, leading to different isotopes of the element. These isotopes can have slightly different physical properties but behave chemically in the same way.


How are isotopes the same?

How isotopes same as element alike?


What are facts about isotopes of the same element?

Isotopes of the same element have a different number of neutrons.


What Have different isotopes of the same element?

Isotopes of the same element have different numbers of neutrons and mass.


How does an element differ from its isotopes?

Isotopes of the same element have different number of neutrons.


The main difference isotopes of the same element has to do with the number of?

Isotopes of the same element have different numbers of neutrons.