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1. An isotope is a variant of a chemical element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons in the nucleus.
2. This means that isotopes of an element have the same atomic number (protons) but different mass numbers (neutrons), leading to variations in atomic mass.
3. For example, carbon has isotopes such as carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14. They all have 6 protons but differ in the number of neutrons.
4. Isotopes can have different physical and chemical properties due to the variations in their atomic masses, which can impact their stability and behavior in chemical reactions.
5. Studying isotopes is essential in various fields like archeology, medicine, and environmental science, as they provide valuable information about the origins, composition, and processes of substances in nature.
I hope this explanation helps you understand the concept of isotopes better! Feel free to ask if you have any more questions.
