Can isotopes of the same element have different properties?

Yes, isotopes of the same element can have different physical properties but identical chemical properties.

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This means they have the same atomic number but different mass numbers. While the number of protons determines the chemical properties of an element, the number of neutrons can affect the physical properties of the isotopes.

The chemical properties of isotopes are identical because they are determined by the number of electrons, which is the same as the number of protons in a neutral atom. This means that isotopes of the same element will react in the same way with other elements, forming the same compounds.

However, the physical properties of isotopes can vary. These include properties such as density, melting point, boiling point, and rate of diffusion. For example, heavy water (D2O), which contains the isotope deuterium, has a higher boiling point and density than normal water (H2O). This is because the additional neutrons in the deuterium atoms make them heavier, which affects these physical properties.

Another significant difference between isotopes is their stability. Some isotopes are stable, meaning they do not undergo radioactive decay, while others are unstable or radioactive. These unstable isotopes can emit radiation and transform into other elements over time. This property is not related to the chemical behaviour of the element, but it is a significant difference between isotopes.

In summary, while isotopes of the same element share the same chemical properties due to having the same number of protons and electrons, they can have different physical properties and levels of stability due to differing numbers of neutrons.