Part 2: Diagraming isotopes In Part 1 we saw the structural differences of atoms of different elements. To see the structural differences of isotopes of the same element we will diagram three isotopes of carbon: Carbon- 12 , Carbon-13, and Carbon-14. (The most common is Carbon- 12, which makes up \( \sim 98.9 \% \) of all carbon elements.) Before diagraming, let's review your knowledge of isotopes. Review: Which particle(s) would you expect to change when diagraming isotopes? Protons Neutrons Electrons
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When diagraming isotopes, you'll mainly see a change in the number of neutrons! While the number of protons remains constant—because you're still dealing with carbon—neutrons vary, resulting in different isotopes like Carbon-12, Carbon-13, and Carbon-14. This difference in neutrons contributes to variations in atomic mass without altering the chemical properties of the element. Isotopes have fascinating real-world applications, especially in fields like medicine and archaeology. For instance, Carbon-14 is famous for its role in radiocarbon dating, which helps scientists determine the age of ancient organic materials, from fossils to archaeological artifacts. Meanwhile, Carbon-13 is utilized in NMR spectroscopy to study molecular structures. How cool is that?