QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY

DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

LABORATORY HIGHSCHOOL

Module 5 Common Isotopes and Their Uses

Competencies Recognize common isotopes and their uses,
Discussion The study of atoms entails a lot of concepts such as their subatomic particles,
atomic structures, discoverer and properties. One fascinating area of study of
atoms is the isotopes. Many of us have heard this word already but have limited
clear understanding what the concept is. Isotopes are often related to nuclear
energy which is being used in many industries. This is because the nuclear energy
usually comes from radioisotopes- a kind of isotopes that is radioactive. Many of
the food products in the market were subjected to radiation that comes from
radioisotopes. Only few people knew this because the industries are aware that
people are sensitive to the use of nuclear energy. This module will discuss the
nature of isotopes as well as their kinds, examples and uses.

Isotopes
The word isotope was derived from Greek words isos and topos which means “the
same place”. Isotopes variants of an element are still found in the same location in
the periodic table of elements. This term was introduced by a British Chemist
Frederick Soddy.

What is the Nature of Isotopes?

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but
different in the number of neutrons. For example, the most common oxygen isotope
has 8 neutrons inside the nucleus, but other isotopes have 9 or 10 neutrons.

To identify a specific isotope of an element, write the name of the element followed
by a hyphen and the mass number of the isotope. Isotopes of oxygen are presented
below.

An oxygen atom with eight protons and eight neutrons and has a mass number of
16, its name is Oxygen-16. Oxygen-17 has eight protons and nine neutrons and its
mass number is 17. And lastly, an oxygen atom with eight protons and ten

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 QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

LABORATORY HIGHSCHOOL

neutrons and has a mass number of eighteen.

Due to the variations of the mass number of the isotopes like Oxygen-16, Oxygen-
17 and Oxygen-18, the relative atomic mass should be computed as indicated in
the periodic table. The atomic mass of oxygen indicated in the periodic table is
15.999. How this figure obtained? To calculate the atomic mass of an element, you
have to multiply the mass number of each isotope by its percentage abundance in
decimal form. Then add these amounts together to find the relative atomic mass.

For example, Chlorine-35 makes up 75.53 percent of all the chlorine in nature,
and Chlorine-37 makes up the other 24.47 percent. The relative atomic mass of
chlorine is calculated as follows;
When we
talk
about
the
chemical

properties of isotopes of a given element they are almost the same or identical.
Different isotopes exhibit nearly identical chemical behaviours. However, when it
comes to physical properties of isotopes like the mass, melting point, melting point,
density and freezing point they are all different. Some isotopes of an element have
unique properties because they are unstable. An unstable atom is an atom whose
nucleus can change its composition. This type of isotope is called radioisotope.
Radioisotopes are radioactive isotope because they produce radiation as they
breakdown in the process.

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 QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

LABORATORY HIGHSCHOOL

Enrichment
Activities

Comprehension
Check

References Mendoza E. and Religioso T. (2008). Chemistry Laboratory Manual. Phoenix

Publication Mendoza E. (2003). Chemistry Textbook. Phoenix Publication

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