There are stable isotopes, which do not emit radiation, and there are unstable isotopes, which do emit radiation. The latter are called radioisotopes. (Graphic: A. Vargas/IAEA) Nuclear techniques are ...

Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes. They share almost the same chemical properties, but differ in mass and therefore in physical properties.

A carbon-14 isotope has one more neutron than carbon-13, for example. Some isotopes are stable and some are unstable. Unstable isotopes decay into other isotopes or elements through radioactive decay.

Light stable isotopes are widely used in forensic sciences (in the broadest sense) to determine habitats, biochemical processes, diets, the hydrological cycle, and climate change. The goal of this ...

Many unstable isotopes give off radioactive energy as they decay. And science and industry have figured out how to put that to use. An isotope of the element fluorine, known as Fluorine-18, is ...

Stable isotope analysis of elements such as carbon, nitrogen and sulphur is used in ecology to trace the flow of nutrients through food webs and assess trophic levels. Latest Research and Reviews ...

A carbon-14 isotope has one more neutron than carbon-13, for example. Some isotopes are stable and some are unstable. Unstable isotopes decay into other isotopes or elements through radioactive decay.

Many unstable isotopes give off radioactive energy as they decay. And science and industry have figured out how to put that to use. An isotope of the element fluorine, known as Fluorine-18, is ...