Question

Isotopes have the same chemical properties but different physical properties. Explain.

Answer 1

• Isotopes are the atoms of the same element having the same atomic number but different atomic masses.
• The difference in their masses is due to the presence of the different numbers of neutrons.
• The term 'isotope' was introduced by Soddy.
• This is a Greek word meaning the same position.(lsos = same, topes = position), since all the isotopes of an element occupy the same position in the periodic table.
• Isotopes of an element possess identical chemical properties as they depend on the number of valence electrons, but differ slightly in physical properties which depend on atomic mass.
• Hence, because of different atomic mass, isotopes of an element have different physical properties.