Definition of isotope
Nouns
one of two or more atoms with the same atomic number but with different numbers of neutrons
- Types:
- show 6 types...
- hide 6 types...
-
radioisotope
a radioactive isotope of an element; produced either naturally or artificially
-
tracer
(radiology) any radioactive isotope introduced into the body to study metabolism or other biological processes
-
label
a radioactive isotope that is used in a compound in order to trace the mechanism of a chemical reaction
-
iodine-131
heavy radioactive isotope of iodine with a half-life of 8 days; used in a sodium salt to diagnose thyroid disease and to treat goiter
-
iodine-125
light radioactive isotope of iodine with a half-life of 60 days; used as a tracer in thyroid studies and as a treatment for hyperthyroidism
-
deuterium, heavy hydrogen
an isotope of hydrogen which has one neutron (as opposed to zero neutrons in hydrogen)
- Type of:
-
atom
(physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element