Question

Define the terms

(a) isotope, (b) isobar giving one example in each case.

Name the element whose isotope is used in

(i) nuclear reactor, (ii) treatment of cancer

Answer 1

(a) Isotope: Isotopes are the different atoms of the same element having the same atomic number and different mass numbers.

Example: Isotopes of carbon $C_6^{12},C_6^{13}\mathit{,}{C}_{\mathit{6}}^{\mathit{14}}$

(b) Isobar: Isobars are the different atoms of different elements having different atomic numbers (Z) and the same mass numbers(A).

Example: Isobars $A{r}_{18}^{40},C{a}_{20}^{40}$

(i) Uranium-235 isotopes are the major source of nuclear energy in nuclear reactors.

(ii) C-60 is used in the treatment of cancer.