2007-07-13 10:06:04 · 7 answers · asked by nightowl 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Strictly speaking from a chemistry point of view, an isotope and radioisotope both have more nuetrons in the nucleus than the more stable common element (such as Carbon14 having two more nuetrons than the usual Carbon12 - a straightforward example of an isotope).
On the other hand, as elements get larger and larger - so does the number of nuetrons that can be placed into the nucleus and can form a semi-stable isotope that can radiate. Think about the number of electrons that would be orbiting around a Plutonium Atom with 94 protons, which can have upwards towards 140-146 neutrons (for a total of 244-250 neutrons + protons in the nucleus). The electrons orbiting the atom would be very far away from the nucleus, and can be lost more readily - giving off beta-rays, or free electrons.
Radioisotopes in general are more unstable because they are larger and contain more neutrons, making them radioactive.
Good question - hope this helps.
2007-07-13 10:19:28 · answer #1 · answered by brix510 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Isotopes are atoms of the same element which differ in the number of neutrons they contain. Isotopes can be created by putting elements into a nuclear reactor. Inside the reactor the element is bombarded with neutrons and occasionally a neutron will enter a nucleus to form an artificial isotope. Many of these isotopes break up spontaneously, emitting charged particles. These radioactive isotopes, or radioisotopes, find many uses in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. coped and pasted lol
2016-05-17 05:27:02 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An isotope is a variety of an atom of an element. It has a different number of neutrons, but the same number of protons.
A radioisotope is an isotope that is radioactive. That means that it is unstable and ends to give off nuclear particles, thus changing into an other element. (particles are alpha=He nucleus, beta=electron, gamma = high energy ray)
2007-07-13 10:36:31 · answer #3 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just guessing, both are isotopes, but radioisotopes are isotopes that are more unstable and more radioactive.
2007-07-13 10:12:19 · answer #4 · answered by pschroeter 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
radio-isotopes have tuners and a volume knobs
2007-07-21 08:35:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have different ratios of mass.
2007-07-21 06:21:12 · answer #6 · answered by Pretty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there the same
2007-07-17 03:36:15 · answer #7 · answered by mikey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋