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An isotope is an element with the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons. The same no of protons means the same no of electrons, and this means the same chemical properties. The difference in the no of neutrons means various changes in the physical properties such as density, and also the stability ( or lack of it ) of the nucleus.

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15y ago

They differ by atomic weight, because their nuclei contain different numbers of neutrons. The difference in nuclear composition may affect stability (Hydrogen 1 is stable, deuterium (Hydrogen 2) and tritium (Hydrogen 3) are not).

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Q: How are two isotopes of an element different?
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Isotopes are forms of the same element that differ in what?

Yes, isotopes of an element are the same element but with different numbers of neutrons in the nucleus and thus different atomic masses.


What subatomic particle determines if an element is an isotope or not?

The neutron; the proton determines the element of the atom, but different atoms of the same element can have different atomic masses, due to the different number of neutrons of the atoms. Atoms of same element having same number of protons but different number of neutrons are called Isotopes. Thus, neutron determines the isotope of an atom.


An element with the same number of protons and electrons as another atom of the element but with a different number of neutrons?

For the most part, yes the quantities of each are different. Light nucleii can have the same number of protons and neutrons and be stable enough to stay the same element (deuterium = 2H, 4He, 6Li , 10B, 12C, 14N, 16O, 20Ne, 24Mg, 28Si, 32S, 36Ar, 40Ca are stable), but a nucleus of a given element can sometimes have more or less neutrons, and be stable. Tin is the heaviest nucleus that has an isotope where #p = #n, and this isotope is very unstable


Can isotopes have the same number of subatomic particles?

An isotope is defined as: Each of two or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei, and hence differ in relative atomic mass but not in chemical properties; in particular, a radioactive form of an element So basically, an isotope is from the same place (element) and has the same number of protons, but the number of electrons differ. So isotopes are not subatomic; the protons and electrons that make an isotope are subatomic.


Which element is used by most nuclear power plants to produce nuclear energy?

First of all, you should distinguish between isotopes, not elements. For example, U-235 (uranium 235) and U-238 are the same element, and have the same chemical properties, but for a power plant, they are completely different things. U-235 is often used; it is also possible to convert other isotopes, such as U-238, into isotopes that are useful for nuclear fission - in this example, a plutonium isotope.

Related questions

Can isotopes of an element have the same number of neutrons?

Two different isotopes of an element have different numbers of neutrons. That's what an isotope is. So, no, isotopes of an element can not have the same number of neutrons.


Define the term isotope explain how two isotopes of an element are different?

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. Different isotopes of an element have the same atomic number, but different mass numbers. I hope I helped! ^_^


What so two different neutral isotopes of the same element have in common?

Different Isotopes of the same element will each exhibit the same Chemical Characteristics.


Two isotopes of the element rubidium differ in their number of protons?

no isotopes of a particular chemical element all have the same number of protons


What is the name for atoms of an element that have different masses?

An atom or element that have different masses are known as isotopes.


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.


What Have different isotopes of the same element?

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


Which two notations represent atoms that are isotopes of the same element?

The two notations represent atoms that are isotopes of the same element is 121 Sn and 119 Sn. The atomic mass of an element is defined as the weighted average mass of that elements naturally occurring isotopes.


What do two different neutral isotopes o the same element have in common?

Neutral isotopes are atoms of the same element which have the same number of protons and electrons, but different numbers of neutrons.


How do scientist tell the different between two isotopes of the same element?

scientists Can tell the difference between two isotopes of the same element because, isotopes of the same elements always have the same number of protons.


Isotopes of an element have a different number of?

neutrons


How does an element differ from its isotopes?

Isotopes of the same element have different number of neutrons.