Isotopes of an element have

The correct answer is Similar chemical but different physical properties.

Key Points

• Isotopes are variants of the same chemical element that have the same number of protons but differ in the number of neutrons.
• Since isotopes of an element have the same atomic number (protons), their chemical properties remain identical.
• The difference in neutron count results in variations in physical properties, such as atomic mass, density, and stability.
• For example, Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon that exhibit identical chemical behavior but differ in physical characteristics like radioactive decay.
• Isotopes play crucial roles in applications like radiocarbon dating, medical diagnostics, and nuclear energy.

Additional Information

• Atomic Number: Represents the number of protons in an atom, which determines the chemical identity of the element.
• Mass Number: The sum of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Isotopes have the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
• Radioisotopes: Some isotopes are unstable and undergo radioactive decay, emitting particles and energy. Example: Uranium-235 used in nuclear reactors.
• Stable Isotopes: Isotopes that do not undergo radioactive decay and remain unchanged over time. Example: Carbon-12.
• Applications: Isotopes are widely used in scientific research, medicine (e.g., PET scans), agriculture (e.g., isotope tracing), and archaeology (e.g., radiocarbon dating).