Isotopes and Nuclear Radiation

• What are isotopes and radiation?

  Isotopes are different forms of the same element.
• How do isotopes sound similar yet differ?

  They sound similar but are totally different.
• What are the characteristics of isotopes?

  • Different forms of the same element
  • Vary in the number of neutrons
  • Have the same number of protons
• What do all atoms of each element have?

  They have a set number of protons.
• What charge does each nucleus have?

  Each nucleus has a positive charge.
• What is the atomic number of an atom?

  It is the number of protons in an atom.
• What does the mass number of an atom represent?

  It represents the number of protons plus neutrons.
• What is the mass number of an atom?

  It is the number of protons plus neutrons.
• What does the mass number indicate about an atom?

  It indicates the total number of protons and neutrons.
• What is the relationship between protons and atomic number?

  • Atomic number equals the number of protons
  • Determines the element's identity
  • Unique for each element
• How is the mass number calculated?

  • Mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons
  • Represents the total mass of the nucleus
  • Important for identifying isotopes