* Same atomic number (number of protons): This defines the element. So, all isotopes of carbon will have 6 protons.
* Same chemical properties: Isotopes generally behave the same way in chemical reactions due to having the same number of electrons.
* Same number of electrons: Since they have the same number of protons, they also have the same number of electrons to balance the charge.
However, isotopes differ in these ways:
* Different mass number (number of protons + number of neutrons): This is the most significant difference. Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. For example, carbon-12 has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, while carbon-14 has 6 protons and 8 neutrons.
* Different physical properties: This can include things like melting point, boiling point, and density. These differences are due to the varying mass of the isotopes.
* Different radioactive properties: Some isotopes are radioactive, meaning they decay over time, while others are stable. The radioactive isotopes are often used in medical imaging and dating techniques.
In summary:
Isotopes of an element are like different versions of the same element, with the same number of protons and electrons, but differing in their number of neutrons. This difference in neutron number leads to variations in mass and sometimes, radioactivity.
