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   kjcdb8er Teacher
   

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   Isotopes of an element have nuclei with the same number of protons (the same atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons. Therefore, isotopes of the same element have different mass numbers (atomic weights). Several applications exist that utilize the unique properties of isotopes of an element.
   
   *The determination of  the relative abundances of isotopes of a given element in a particular sample can link samples back to an original source.
   * Samples can be deliberately labeled with isotopes to track changes in the experiment. If radioactive isotopes are used, they can be detected by the radiation they emit.
   * Carbon dating uses the decay of radioactive isotopes to determine the age of carbon containing materials.
   *Nuclear power and nuclear weapons require relatively large quantities of specific isotopes.

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   Posted by kjcdb8er on Wednesday July 29, 2009 at 10:03 AM