Common Isotopes and Their Uses

Specific Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, the learners will be able
to:
•define atomic number and mass number;
•identify common isotopes; and
•give uses of some isotopes.
 Let’s recall!

• Atomic number
= number of protons = number of
electrons in a neutral atom

• Mass number
= number of protons +
number of neutrons
Examples

Atomic Mass Number of Number of Number of

Number Number Protons Electrons Neutrons
37 85
21 24
20 10
Examples

Atomic Number of Number of Number of

Mass Number
Number Protons Electrons Neutrons
37 85 37 37 48
21 45 21 21 24
10 20 10 10 10
 Isotopes
• Atoms of an element having
the same atomic number
but different mass number.
• The existence of isotopes
was shown by mass
spectroscopy experiments,
wherein elements were
found to be composed of
several types of atoms,
each with different masses.
 Isotopes

•The atomic number identifies an element. The

atoms of isotopes of an element have the same
number of protons and electrons.
• The atoms of isotopes of an element differ in the
number of neutrons
 Isotopes

Examples:
Determine the number of neutrons of:
a. Li mass number = 7, number of protons = 3
number of neutrons = 7-3
=4
b. carbon -14
mass number = 14, number of protons = 6 (derived from the periodic
table)
number of neutrons = 14-6
=8
Try this!

Atomic Mass Number of Number of Number of

Isotope
Number Number Protons Electrons Neutrons

Iodine - 131 53
Answer

Atomic Mass Number of Number of Number of

Isotope
Number Number Protons Electrons Neutrons
92 235 92 92 143
Iodine - 131 53 131 53 53 78
 Example
Carbon-14 (14C) is a naturally-occurring
radioisotope (atoms that contain an unstable
combination of neutrons and protons, or
excess energy in their nucleus) that is created
from atmospheric 14N (nitrogen) by the addition
of a neutron and the loss of a proton, which is
caused by cosmic rays.
 Uses of Radioactive Isotopes
• Radioactive isotopes find uses in agriculture, food industry, pest
control, archeology and medicine.
• Radiocarbon dating, which measures the age of carbon-bearing
items, uses a radioactive isotope known as carbon-14.
• In medicine, gamma rays emitted by radioactive elements are
used to detect tumors inside the human body.
• Food irradiation -- the process of exposing food to a controlled
level of gamma rays -- kills many types of bacteria, making food
safer to eat.
 Uses of Radioactive Isotopes

• Hydrogen-3, or tritium, is a
rare, radioactive isotope of
hydrogen.
• It is made up of a nucleus of
one proton and two
neutrons.
• The mild radiation emitted by
tritium makes the substance
useful in commercial,
military, and scientific
endeavors.
Values Corner

Be aware of the different symbols used in

manufacturing companies, hospitals and energy
firms.

Exposure to radioactive elements is dangerous to

our health that is why always follow safety
precautions.