Stable isotope geochemistry is the study of how physical and chemical processes can cause isotopes — atoms of an element
with different numbers of neutrons — to separate (called isotopic fractionation).
For instance, radiocarbon dating determines the age of biological remains based on the ratio between the carbon isotopes (atoms of the same element
with different numbers of neutrons) carbon - 12 and carbon - 14 it holds - this proportion changes as radioactive carbon - 14 breaks down while stable carbon - 12 does not.
(Isotopes are species of the same element, albeit
with different numbers of neutrons and hence different atomic masses.)
For example; carbon has three isotopes
with different number of neutrons; 12C, 13C, 14C.
Not exact matches
Isotopes are versions
of elements
with the same
number of protons, but a
different number of neutrons.
Another is to analyze the traces
of isotopes — versions
of elements
with the same
number of protons, but a
different number of neutrons — found in primitive meteorites.
For this study, the team set out to investigate the timing
of supernova dust formation by measuring isotopes — versions
of elements
with the same
number of protons but
different numbers of neutrons — in rare presolar silicon carbide grains
with compositions indicating that they formed in type II supernovae.
Today is the birthday
of Frederick Soddy, an English chemist born in 1877 who pioneered the study
of isotopes, elements
with the same
number of protons but a
different number of neutrons.
Isotopes are variants
of the same chemical element
with different atomic weights due to having
different numbers of neutrons, such as the most common carbon isotope, carbon - 12, and a heavier stable isotope, carbon - 13.
Use
of Stable Isotopes
of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur to Identify Sources
of Nitrogen in Surface Waters in the Lower Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania We know that isotopes are atoms
with the same
number of protons and
different numbers of neutrons.