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isotope

C2
UK/ˈaɪ.sə.təʊp/US/ˈaɪ.sə.toʊp/

Technical / Academic

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Definition

Meaning

One of two or more forms of a chemical element that have the same atomic number but different atomic masses.

More broadly, any of two or more species of atoms of the same element with different mass numbers.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The term exclusively refers to nuclear physics and chemistry; it is not used metaphorically in standard English.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant lexical or usage differences. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.

Connotations

Identical technical connotations in both varieties.

Frequency

Used with identical frequency in scientific contexts in both the UK and US.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
radioactive isotopestable isotopecarbon isotopeisotope analysisisotope ratio
medium
heavy isotopelight isotopeisotope geochemistryoxygen isotope
weak
common isotopeparticular isotopedifferent isotopenatural isotope

Grammar

Valency Patterns

the isotope of [element]a [descriptor] isotope of [element]to analyse using [element] isotopes

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Neutral

nuclideatomic variant

Weak

formversion

Vocabulary

Antonyms

isobar (different element, same mass)isotone (different element, same neutrons)

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare, except in specific industries like nuclear energy or medical diagnostics.

Academic

Common in chemistry, physics, geology, archaeology, and environmental science papers.

Everyday

Very rare; limited to educational contexts or news about nuclear topics.

Technical

Core term in nuclear science, radiometric dating, and tracer studies.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

  • The isotope composition was measured.
  • Isotope hydrology is a growing field.

American English

  • The isotope composition was measured.
  • Isotope hydrology is a growing field.

Examples

By CEFR Level

B1
  • Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope.
  • Doctors sometimes use isotopes in medical scans.
B2
  • Scientists analysed the oxygen isotopes in the ice core to determine past temperatures.
  • The stable isotope of carbon is carbon-12.
C1
  • The team employed strontium isotope analysis to trace the geographical origin of the ancient artefacts.
  • Fractionation of isotopes occurs during physical processes like evaporation.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Picture identical twins (ISO = same) living in different apartments (TOPOS = place) in the same building (the Periodic Table), but one carries a heavier suitcase (mass).

Conceptual Metaphor

Elements as families; isotopes as siblings with identical 'identity' (protons) but different 'weight' (neutrons).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid confusing with 'изотоп' (direct cognate, same meaning). No trap, but ensure correct scientific context.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'isotope' to refer to different elements. Confusing it with 'allotrope' (different structural form of the same element). Mispronunciation: /ˈɪs.ə.toʊp/.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Archaeologists used carbon-14, a radioactive , to date the wooden tool.
Multiple Choice

What distinguishes one isotope from another of the same element?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Isotopes are variants of the *same* chemical element. Different elements have different atomic numbers (protons).

Yes, deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen. It has one proton and one neutron, whereas common hydrogen has just a proton.

No. Many elements have both stable isotopes (which do not decay) and radioactive isotopes (which decay over time).

From Greek 'isos' (equal) and 'topos' (place), coined in 1913 by Margaret Todd and Frederick Soddy, referring to isotopes occupying the same place in the periodic table.

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Scientific Terminology

C1 · 44 words · Precise vocabulary used in scientific disciplines.

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