Question

What is isotopes? Write any two isotopes of hydrogen atom.
OR
What is Isobar? Give example.

Hint:

Isotopes differ in the number of neutrons, while isobars differ in the number of protons.

Answer 1

a. Isotopes:
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons (atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons (mass number). This results in different atomic masses for the isotopes of the same element.
Example of Isotopes of Hydrogen:
The three isotopes of hydrogen are:
1. Protium (\(^1_1H\)): This is the most common isotope of hydrogen, with one proton and no neutrons.
2. Deuterium (\(^2_1H\)): This isotope has one proton and one neutron. It is used in nuclear fusion reactions.
3. Tritium (\(^3_1H\)): This isotope has one proton and two neutrons. It is radioactive and used in nuclear reactors.
b. Isobars:
Isobars are atoms of different elements that have the same mass number but different atomic numbers. In other words, they have the same total number of protons and neutrons, but the protons are distributed between different elements.
Example of Isobars:
An example of isobars is:
1. \(^4_2He\) (Helium) and \(^4_3Li\) (Lithium): Both have a mass number of 4 but different atomic numbers (2 for helium and 3 for lithium).