What are examples of stable isotopes?

Examples of stable isotopes include Carbon-12, Oxygen-16, Hydrogen-1, Nitrogen-14, and Iron-56.

Stable isotopes are versions of elements that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. They are called 'stable' because they do not undergo radioactive decay and remain unchanged over time. Let's look at some examples in more detail.

Carbon-12 is the most common isotope of carbon, making up about 99% of all carbon on Earth. It has 6 protons and 6 neutrons. This isotope is used as the standard for atomic weights.

Oxygen-16 is the most abundant isotope of oxygen, with 8 protons and 8 neutrons. It makes up about 99.76% of all oxygen atoms. This isotope is a primary component of the Earth's atmosphere.

Hydrogen-1, also known as protium, is the most common isotope of hydrogen. It has 1 proton and no neutrons. This isotope makes up more than 99.98% of all hydrogen in the universe.

Nitrogen-14 is a stable isotope of nitrogen, with 7 protons and 7 neutrons. It makes up about 99.63% of all nitrogen on Earth. This isotope is used in various biological and industrial processes.

Iron-56 is the most common isotope of iron, with 26 protons and 30 neutrons. It is the final product of stellar nucleosynthesis, a process in which stars produce new elements.

These examples illustrate the diversity of stable isotopes. They are found in various elements and play crucial roles in different natural processes. Understanding these isotopes is fundamental to many areas of science, including chemistry, biology, and environmental science.