English Explanatory Dictionary

isotope

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun

Any of two or more forms of an element where the atoms have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons within their nuclei. Thus, isotopes have the same atomic number but a different mass number.

verb

To define or demonstrate an isotopy of (one map with another).

Pronunciation

/ˈaɪ.sə.təʊp/ ī'sətōp /ˈaɪ.sə.toʊp/ en-us-isotope.ogg

Word forms

isotope isotopes isotoping isotoped

Etymology

From iso- (“equal”) + -tope (“place”), because the different isotopes of an element always occupy the same place in the periodic table. The term was coined by Scottish doctor Margaret Todd in 1909 and first used publicly on February 27, 1913 by English chemist Frederick Soddy.

Related words

isobar isotone homotope

Derived words

clumped isotope daughter isotope deisotope isoscape isotope analysis isotope dilution isotope effect isotope exchange isotope geochemistry isotope hydrology isotope map isotope separation isotope shift isotope signature isotope table isotopics isotopism isotopometry medical isotope monoisotope nonisotope radioisotope radio-isotope deisotoping

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