Atomic number (Z) - gives position on the Periodic Table - equals the number of protons in the nucleus Mass number (A) - equals the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus Isotopes: Isotopes are atoms of the same element which differ in the number of neutrons they contain. For example, helium-3 (3He), with two protons and one neutron in each nucleus, and helium-4 (4He), with two protons and two neutrons, are two different isotopes of helium. Nearly all elements found in nature are mixtures of several different isotopes. Although the chemical properties of isotopes of the same element are the same, the physical properties differ. The natural proportions of the isotopes are expressed in the form of an abundance ratio. Uses of Isotopes: Agricultural Applications - radioactive tracers: Radioisotopes can be used to help understand chemical and biological processes in plants. Archaeological Dating: Radioactivity: Atomic nuclei that are not stable, tend to approach stable configuration(s), by the process of radioactivity. Atoms are radioactive because the ratio of neutrons to protons is not ideal. Through radioactive decay, the nucleus approaches a more stable neutron to proton ratio. Radioactive decay releases different types of energetic emissions. The three most common types of radioactive emissions are alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Alpha particles (α)
Atomic number (Z) - gives position on the Periodic Table - equals the number of protons in the nucleus Mass number (A) - equals the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus Isotopes: Isotopes are atoms of the same element which differ in the number of neutrons they contain. For example, helium-3 (3He), with two protons and one neutron in each nucleus, and helium-4 (4He), with two protons and two neutrons, are two different isotopes of helium. Nearly all elements found in nature are mixtures of several different isotopes. Although the chemical properties of isotopes of the same element are the same, the physical properties differ. The natural proportions of the isotopes are expressed in the form of an abundance ratio. Uses of Isotopes: Agricultural Applications - radioactive tracers: Radioisotopes can be used to help understand chemical and biological processes in plants. Archaeological Dating: Radioactivity: Atomic nuclei that are not stable, tend to approach stable configuration(s), by the process of radioactivity. Atoms are radioactive because the ratio of neutrons to protons is not ideal. Through radioactive decay, the nucleus approaches a more stable neutron to proton ratio. Radioactive decay releases different types of energetic emissions. The three most common types of radioactive emissions are alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Alpha particles (α)
ig-radioactivity.docx