Stable isotopes are variants of chemical elements that have a stable nucleus and do not undergo radioactive decay over time, making them useful in various scientific applications such as tracing environmental processes and studying metabolic pathways. They differ from radioactive isotopes, which are unstable and decay into other elements, emitting radiation in the process.

Stable Isotope

Stable isotopes are non-radioactive forms of elements with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, providing valuable insights in fields like geology, biology, and environmental science. Their unique properties allow researchers to trace chemical pathways, study past climates, and understand ecological interactions without the complications of radioactive decay.

Stable isotopes

chemical elements

stable nucleus

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation, leading to the transformation of the original atom into a different element or a different isotope of the same element. This process occurs spontaneously and is characterized by a specific half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

radioactive decay

Scientific applications encompass diverse tools and software that facilitate scientific research, data analysis, and technological development across various disciplines. They serve as essential instruments in experimental design, simulations, and computational tasks, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of scientific investigations.

scientific applications

tracing environmental processes

studying metabolic pathways

Radioactive isotopes, or radioisotopes, are variants of chemical elements that have unstable nuclei and emit radiation as they decay to a stable form. They are widely used in medicine, industry, and research for applications such as imaging, treatment, and tracing chemical pathways.

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