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Isotope: meaning, definitions and examples

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isotope

 

[ ˈaɪ.sə.toʊp ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemistry term

An isotope is a variant of a chemical element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons in its atomic nucleus. This difference in neutron count results in varying atomic masses. Isotopes can be stable or unstable; unstable isotopes are radioactive and can decay over time, releasing radiation. The study of isotopes has important applications in fields such as medicine, archaeology, and environmental science.

Synonyms

form, nuclide, variant

Examples of usage

  • Carbon-14 is a well-known isotope used for dating organic materials.
  • In medical imaging, isotopes are used as tracers to visualize processes in the body.
  • Natural water contains hydrogen isotopes known as deuterium and tritium.
  • Isotopes can help scientists understand processes that happened in the past.

Translations

Translations of the word "isotope" in other languages:

🇵🇹 isótopo

🇮🇳 आइसोटोप

🇩🇪 Isotop

🇮🇩 isotop

🇺🇦 ізотоп

🇵🇱 izotop

🇯🇵 同位体

🇫🇷 isotope

🇪🇸 isótopo

🇹🇷 izotop

🇰🇷 동위원소

🇸🇦 نظير

🇨🇿 izotop

🇸🇰 izotop

🇨🇳 同位素

🇸🇮 izotop

🇮🇸 ísótóp

🇰🇿 изотоп

🇬🇪 იზოტოპი

🇦🇿 izotop

🇲🇽 isótopo

Etymology

The term 'isotope' comes from the Greek words 'isos', meaning 'equal', and 'topos', meaning 'place'. It was first coined in the early 20th century by the British chemist Frederick Soddy in 1913. Soddy's work on radioactivity and the relationships between isotopes laid the groundwork for modern nuclear chemistry. The concept of isotopes challenged existing notions about elements, demonstrating that elements could have multiple forms with distinct nuclear properties while remaining chemically identical. This discovery has had profound implications across various scientific fields, leading to advancements in medicine, energy, and even archaeology.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,850 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.