Measured Isotope Masses: Exploring the Mass Excess

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Thread starter murali balakrishnan
Start date Oct 20, 2018
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Isotope Mass

In summary, an isotope is a variation of an element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons, leading to distinct physical properties. These masses are measured using a mass spectrometer and can be compared to the mass of its constituent particles through mass excess. Isotope masses are important in studying atomic structure, behavior, and stability, and can change through nuclear reactions while the number of protons remains constant.

Oct 20, 2018

murali balakrishnan

Has anyone listed the actual experimentally measured masses of isotopes ? I find only the mass excesses listed. Why?

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Oct 20, 2018

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You can calculate the masses based on the mass excess.

Many websites list the masses. Here is one example (NIST)

1. What is an isotope?

An isotope is a variant of an element that has the same number of protons in its nucleus, but a different number of neutrons. This results in a different mass and often different physical properties.

2. How are isotope masses measured?

Isotope masses are measured using a mass spectrometer, which separates and measures the different isotopes of an element based on their mass-to-charge ratio.

3. What is mass excess?

Mass excess is the difference between the actual mass of an isotope and the mass of its constituent protons and neutrons. It is typically measured in units of energy, such as MeV.

4. Why is exploring isotope masses important?

Exploring isotope masses can provide valuable information about the structure and behavior of atoms, as well as the stability and nuclear reactions of different isotopes. This is important in fields such as nuclear physics, chemistry, and geology.

5. Can isotope masses change?

Isotope masses can change through nuclear reactions, such as radioactive decay or nuclear fusion. However, the number of protons (and therefore the element) remains the same.