(nuclear physics) Any of two or more forms of an element where the atoms have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons within their nuclei. Thus, isotopes have the same atomic number but a different mass number.
Used in a Sentence
isotopes
Definition, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for isotopes.
Editorial note
We actually take advantage of this pathway for short-lived isotopes for medical procedures, but obviously longer lived isotopes are more dangerous.
Examples14
Definitions1
Parts of speech1
Quick take
(nuclear physics) Any of two or more forms of an element where the atoms have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons within their nuclei. Thus, isotopes have the same atomic number but a different mass number.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of isotopes gathered in one view.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for isotopes.
noun
(nuclear physics) Any of two or more forms of an element where the atoms have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons within their nuclei. Thus, isotopes have the same atomic number but a different mass number.
Example sentences
We actually take advantage of this pathway for short-lived isotopes for medical procedures, but obviously longer lived isotopes are more dangerous.
The waste is full of nuclear poisons (a technical term, isotopes that stop fission by neutron capture).
For that reactor, the fuel is a mix of plutonium isotopes which can't be used for bombs and are much more difficult to purify than natural uranium ore.
The rise in CO2 is man made, as determined by the isotopes of carbon present in the atmosphere.
Or if that starts being circumvented with diy bullets, control the propellant, and mark it with isotopes or whatever.
In the Integral Fast Reactor, for example, you end up with a mixture of the four isotopes of plutonium.
The problem is that only a few percent of that will be Pu-238, and separating that from the other four Pu isotopes is incredibly difficult, that is to say, economically intractable.
Iodine 131 for example is one of the most dangrious isotopes after an event, but it's half life is 8 days.
Knowing how isotopes decay is also important - alpha, beta decay, spontaneous fission, etc - these differences matter a great deal w.r.t.
For example many radioactive isotopes decay by positron emission (also named positive beta decay).
There are also isotopes; tritium is a form type of hydrogen that is radioactive, and several times heavier than normal (1H) hydrogen.
If the ratio of carbon isotopes is the damning evidence, then perhaps the article could have graphed it or at least mentioned it.
Quote examples
I wonder how high insurance costs for "launching radioactive isotopes into orbit" are.
What do you do about the fact that those millions of pounds of currently existing propellent do not have any kind of "isotopes or whatever" tags in them?
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use isotopes in a sentence?
We actually take advantage of this pathway for short-lived isotopes for medical procedures, but obviously longer lived isotopes are more dangerous.
What does isotopes mean?
(nuclear physics) Any of two or more forms of an element where the atoms have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons within their nuclei. Thus, isotopes have the same atomic number but a different mass number.
What part of speech is isotopes?
isotopes is commonly used as noun.