Isotope

noun

/ˈaɪ.sə.toʊp/

One of two or more forms of the same element whose atoms have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, giving them the same atomic number but different mass numbers.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India's civil nuclear programme and its push for radioactive isotopes in medicine and agriculture illustrate how mastery of fissile and non-fissile isotopes has become integral to both energy security and public health.

Synonyms

nuclideradioisotopevariantisotopic formatomic species

🌱 Word Family

isotopic (adj), isotopically (adv), radioisotope (n), isotopy (n)

🔡 Root

Greek isos = equal; topos = place — same place on the periodic table; coined by M. Todd, 1913

📜 Etymology

From Greek isos ("equal") + topos ("place"), meaning "the same place" on the periodic table; coined by Scottish physician Margaret Todd in 1913.

🧠 Memory Hook

ISO (same) + TOPE (think "topos" = place): isotopes are atoms of the same element sitting in the SAME PLACE on the periodic table, just carrying different neutron "luggage".

⚗️ General Science 📖 Seen in: Atomic Structure, Periodic Table & Che...

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