Isotopes Definition and 94 Threads

  1. A

    Why aren't the daughter isotopes of alpha decay charged?

    For example, when a radioactive isotope of Uranium undergoes alpha decay, a radioactive isotope of Thorium is formed. Why isn't this daughter isotope charged?
  2. O

    Why is it that only hydrogen isotopes are used for Fusion bombs?

    Is there any other elements that can be used for fusion?
  3. E

    Nuclear Fission and fissionable isotopes

    Hi, My textbook says that only Uranium and Plutonium are fissionable but it doesn't say why. Do smaller isotopes become bigger when they are bombarded by neutrons instead of spitting apart? Thanks
  4. Borek

    LaTeX [LaTeX] isotopes - how to align left indices?

    So, I have this equation: ^{137}_{55}Cs \rightarrow ^{137}_{56}Ba + e^- + \bar{\nu}_e What I don't like about it is that both 55 and 56 are left aligned and there is a gap between numbers and Ba symbol. I guess I could try to hand align them using spaces and negative spaces, but I also...
  5. D

    How come stable isotopes have more neutrons than protons?

    So, watching the chart of isotopes (or nuclides), where I have isotopes put according to how stable they are, I have seen that the stable elements have more neutrons than protons. And I wonder why that is? Is it because neutrons are responsible for binding the nucleus with nuclear force...
  6. B

    Decay chain of radioactive isotopes

    How can I efficiently calculate the amount of material decayed after a specific time in a two-step decay chain? In my specific example, I have 56Ni -> 56Co -> 56Fe. The half life of the first process is 6.1 days, the second - 77.7 days. How can I accurately calculate the amount of 56Fe that...
  7. L

    How Many Tubes Are Required to Achieve a Specific Isotope Concentration?

    Homework Statement Want to separate two isotopes whose atomic masses differ by one neutron mass. We do this by filling a tube of height H with a gaseous mixture of the two isotopes Derive a formula of the enrichment factor [n1 (H)/ n2 (H)]/ [n1(0)/n2(0)] If the gas from the top of the...
  8. A

    Find the difference in atomic mass between the two isotopes

    Homework Statement Two isotopes of a certain element have binding energies that differ by 5.03 MeV. The isotope with the larger binding energy contains one more neutron than the other isotope. Find the difference in atomic mass between the two isotopes.Homework Equations 1u=931.5MeVThe...
  9. P

    How to distinguish two isotopes?

    Hello! If we had available for some two isotopes such as plutonium. One produced artificially, and the other not as example Pluton-238 and Pluton-242. If these isotopes would be protected by coating with a layer of absorbing radiation such as lead in what the easiest way we could identify them...
  10. S

    Calculating percent abundance for 3 isotopes

    For my chemistry class, I need to be able to calculate percent abundances for multiples isotopes, if given the mass of the isotopes and average atomic mass of the element. The percent abundance of 1 isotope may be given. The teacher has said that calculating for a problem with 3 isotopes is...
  11. A

    Are all atoms considered to be isotopes?

    What the title says
  12. FeDeX_LaTeX

    Possible title: Isotope Abundance Calculations: Where Did I Go Wrong?

    Homework Statement 1) "The relative atomic mass of antimony is 121.8. Antimony exists as two isotopes; antimony-121 and antimony-123. Calculate the relative abundances of the two isotopes." 2) "The relative atomic mass of rubidium is 85.5. Rubidium consists of two isotopes, rubidium-85 and...
  13. S

    Where are Radioactive Isotopes found?

    Radioactive isotopes or radioisotopes are they only found in nuclear reactors? Or can they be found in the natural world as well?
  14. S

    Abundance of isotopes based on ratios

    Homework Statement how do i find abundances of isotopes of strontium if i am give their isotopic ratios and atomic masses Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution i know i have to find what the mass of each isotope is in the ratios to find the % abundance. i don't want to put up...
  15. A

    Help with population of various isotopes in decay chains (Bateman equations)

    (Apologies for cross-posting this in the Nuclear and Differential Equations forums. I'm new to posting on Physics Forums and not entirely sure where it belongs. Mods, please feel free to delete/move as appropriate.) I am trying to create a decay chain simulator in Excel that my pupils can use...
  16. A

    Help with population of various isotopes in decay chains (Bateman equations)

    (Apologies for cross-posting this in the Nuclear and Differential Equations forums. I'm new to posting on Physics Forums and not entirely sure where it belongs. Mods, please feel free to delete/move as appropriate.) I am trying to create a decay chain simulator in Excel that my pupils can use...
  17. Vectronix

    Fusion of the isotopes of hydrogen

    Hi I assume that two hydrogen atoms fuse together to form one helium atom during nuclear fusion. But what happens when other isotopes of hydrogen fuse together? What happens to two deuterium atoms when they fuse together? Tritium? I'm assuming that they would form an isotope of helium, but...
  18. L

    Help: Definition: 'decay width' for isotopes

    I have looked for a definition of 'decay width' on the internet and could only find articles that use the term, no definition. I first saw the term on a periodic table of elements showing information about different radioactive isotopes and their decay modes. Is 'resonance width' a synonym...
  19. A

    Need Help on Isotopes: Find Mass Number of Antimony

    Homework Statement I have been working on this for ages and can't work it out. Naturally occurring antimony (Sb) has a molar mass of 121.84 g/mol and contains only two isotopes. One is 121Sb which is 57.3% abundant. What is the mass number of the other isotope of naturally occurring antimony...
  20. L

    Ratio of rms speeds of two isotopes

    1. Uranium has two naturally occurring isotopes. 238U has a natural abundance of 99.3% and 235U has an abundance of 0.7%. It is the rarer 235U that is needed for nuclear reactors. The isotopes are separated by forming uranium hexafluoride, which is a gas, then allowing it to diffuse through a...
  21. R

    Helium 3 and Artificial Creation of Isotopes

    Hey folks, I think this is the best section to ask this question. I've been thinking about the mining of He-3 on either the moon or the gas giants and the associated exorbitant costs, usually measured in the tens to hundreds of billions of dollars. I've also been trying to think of ways...
  22. C

    The differences in zero-point energy between isotopes

    Hi all, May I know which would have a higher vibrational energy at ground state, zero point energy, maximum vibrational quantum number, between the these 2 isotopes: H2 and D2 and why?
  23. N

    Decay - Abundance of Multiple Isotopes

    Homework Statement An element Z has two isotopes Z1 and Z2 with decay constants of λ1 and λ2. The natural activity of natural occurring element Z is A. What is the abundance of each isotope? Assume that these decay constants are long - the abundance of the element over time does not...
  24. K

    What is the percent abundance of 140Ce in Cerium?

    i am trying to figure out the percent abundance of two isotopes. i know how to set up the problem but i don't know how to find the weight of each isotopes. here is the problem: Cerium (58Ce) has two commonly occurring isotopes, 140Ce and 142Ce. what is the approximate percent abundance of 140Ce?
  25. G

    Is there any chance of discovering more isotopes of Iron?

    I have checked Wikipedia and the National Nuclear Data Center and it looks like Iron (Fe) has 28 isotopes. There are 6 additional isotopes that come under the main ones (such as 52mFe under 52Fe) making the total of 34. My question is if there is any possibility that someday more Iron isotopes...
  26. M

    Calculation of specific activity when element consists of two isotopes

    The element rubidium consists of two isotopes; the stable Rb-85 and the radioactive Rb-87 (abundance 27.83%). What is the specific activity of natural rubidium chloride? if you use A(r)=85.47 g.mol-1 for Rb-element, A(r)= 86.91 g.mol-1 for Rb-87, and M(r) = 120.92 g.mol-1 for RbCl.
  27. A

    How Does Isotope Mass Affect Sound Propagation?

    If you have two isotopes, would the speed of sound through the atom be larger in the heavier isotope or the lighter isotope, or would they be equal, and why?
  28. E

    Global Warming Impacts on Earth's Sea Level, Ocean Circulation, Oxygen Isotopes

    how would the Earth be affected by global warming in terms of the sea level , global ocean circulation, and oxygen isotopes?
  29. M

    Recent and Recommended Nuclear Radii for All Isotopes

    Where can I find recent and recommended nuclear radius for all isotopes
  30. P

    What are the Weighted Averages of Element X Isotopes: 31x and 34x?

    Element x has two naturally occurring isotopes. The masses (amu) and % abundance are given. 31x is 35% with mass of 31.16 and 34x is 64% with 34.3 amu's
  31. K

    Understanding Isotopes: Exploring the Different Forms of Elements

    Can someone help explain Isotopes to me? First off, how am I supposed to know how many differnt isotopes a element can have? Why would an element become an isotope? Thanks
  32. D

    Half Life of Radioactive Isotopes

    Is there any theory that predicts the halflife of a radioisotope given the number of neutrons and protons in the element? For example, given X protons and Y neutrons, is there anything other than empirical data to predict when half of a given sample will decay? I know there are isalnds of...
  33. J

    Converting 208Pb to 206Pb or 203Tl isotopes

    Are there any way I can take 208Pb and change it to 207Pb or even 206Pb and the other thing is, can I take Lead Pb I’m not sure what type of lead do you get then buying, maybe 204Pb or something can I take 204Pb and change it to 203Tl? This is all by taking some electrons and changes it to...
  34. Andre

    Are Isotopes in Ice Cores Indicators of Temperature or Precipitation?

    Here you can see how the Greenland isotope proxies in the ice core records have been studied very carefully on temperature sensitivity: http://www.ipsl.jussieu.fr/GLACIO/hoffmann/Texts/jouzelJGR1997.pdf The result is figure 4 (pag 7) where the temperature variation is derived from a...
  35. R

    How Do Sulfur Isotopes Determine Its Average Atomic Mass?

    Homework Statement Sulfur has 4 naturally occurring isotopes: Sulfur-32 Abundance = 95.0% Sulfur-33 Abundance = 0.76% Sulfur-34 Abundance = 4.22% Sulfur-36 Abundance = 0.014% Sulfur's symbol is S, it has 16 electrons and a mass of 32.06g Homework Equations I'm actually looking...
  36. F

    Radioactive Isotopes: Different Activity Rates Explained

    I just want to make sure I just formulted a valid statement: Two samples contain different radioactive isotopes. It is not possible for these samples to have the same activity because each isotope radioactive isotopes change their composition at different rates. Anyone able to agree with...
  37. B

    Can Iodine Be a Viable Alternative for Fissionable Isotopes?

    might be more expensive than uranium or plutonium, but storage costs and environmental impact and anti-nuke activism might be muted if there was an isotope of any element, say an isotope of iodine, that when fissioned, gives off energy AND short-lived radioactive isotopes. so, say...
  38. K

    Separation of Isotopes by Laser Excitation

    Is this for real? http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/laser-enrichment-could-cut-cost-of-nuclear-power/2006/05/26/1148524888448.html
  39. N

    Study of tautomerism using radioactive isotopes

    I've searched for a simple definition, but i couldn't find an illustrated clear one. It's about the study of tautomerism using radioactive isotopes, or tracers.
  40. Loren Booda

    Distribution of isotopes throughout the body

    Are different carbon, e. g., isotopes distributed throughout the human body in relatively different concentrations? Are radioactive atoms mutagenic and electronically dissimiliar, thus affecting the chemistry of neighboring structures? Could these isotopes be a considerable source of DNA...
  41. E

    Isotopes of an element differ in physical properties

    Im stuck on this question. Isotopes of an element differ in physical properties but not chemical properties. Explain this in terms of structure. I know isotopes have the same number of protons and diff neutrons, but don't know how to answer the question. Thanks!
  42. A

    How Does Adding Multiple Neutrons Affect Uranium's Radioactivity?

    you know how when u add a neutron to a stable uranium atom it becomes unstable and it produces alpha,beta and gamma but what if you add 2 neutron, is that possible? if its possible what if i add 2 slow moving neutron what would happen? what if i add 2 fast moving neturon than what would...
  43. G

    Radioactive isotopes please read

    5. Radioactive and heavy isotopes can be used to label biochemical molecules. Describe how their use has enabled scientists to understand biochemical pathways and processes. Can anyone direct me to any decent websites that might give some info related to this? Thanks for your help.
  44. Nim

    Half-Life vs Electron Volts: Exploring Helium Isotopes

    I was looking at a http://chemlab.pc.maricopa.edu/periodic/isotopes.html and was wondering why the half-life was sometimes replaced with electron volts? There's an example from the table below: Helium-6 806.7 milliseconds -> Lithium-6 Helium-7 160 KEV -> Helium-6...
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