
Isotopes of the Same Element Have Different Numbers of Neutrons
Jun 8, 2021
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Isotope is one of those science vocabulary words that kids have to know, but it doesn’t need an entire unit. Students need to know that isotopes of the same element have different numbers of neutrons. Of course, to understand isotopes, students need to know about atoms, protons, electrons, and neutrons.

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In addition to being a foundational part of chemistry, isotopes are super interesting and helpful. You can expand your students’ knowledge of isotopes beyond knowing that isotopes of the same element have different numbers of neutrons.
Radioactive Isotopes
Isotopes with more neutrons than protons can be unstable. Extremely unstable isotopes are radioactive and release alpha particles made up of two protons and two neutrons. Large amounts of energy are also released during alpha decay, as this process is called. Of course, not all isotopes are radioactive. Some isotopes of the same element have different numbers of neutrons, but they are stable and not radioactive.

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Helpful Isotopes
It is also helpful to explain why isotopes are important. Radioactive isotopes help doctors find and treat cancer. Carbon 14 is used to date archeological finds up to 50,000 years old. Understand why something is important is key to helping students remember something.

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Teaching Students that Isotopes of the Same Element Have Different Numbers of Neutrons
My latest science information pages are all about isotopes. I didn’t make an entire unit on isotopes because once students know the basics about isotopes, they can apply this learning to other units that include isotopes. Of course, understanding that isotopes of the same element have different numbers of electrons is key to learning about isotopes in different contexts.
Display these information cards in the classroom or share them online. You can also print them four to a page and put them in science notebooks. The more places you can give your students to interact with the information about isotopes, the more opportunities they will have to strengthen their neural networks. Students will also know where to look if they forget what they learned about isotopes.
Best of all? These information pages on isotopes are free! Click the picture below to get them at Teachers Pay Teachers to help your students learn that isotopes of the same element have different numbers of electrons.
Chemical Reactions
Middle School Science
