Final answer:
Isotopes are atoms of an element with the same number of protons but differing numbers of neutrons, leading to different mass numbers. They share chemical properties but can be separated in nuclear processes using advanced technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
What Are Isotopes?
Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element which have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons, and thus differ in their mass numbers. For instance, all isotopes of carbon have six protons, and the most common isotope, carbon-12, has six neutrons, while another isotope, carbon-14, has eight neutrons. The essential concept to understand is that isotopes of an element have the same atomic number (Z) and hence they display similar chemical properties, but they have different neutrons (N) resulting in different mass numbers (A). This variance in mass can lead to differences in their physical properties and is the basis for techniques like radiometric dating, which relies on the decay of radioactive isotopes.
In a chemical laboratory, isotopes of an element are generally indistinguishable in terms of their chemical behavior. However, in practices such as nuclear medicine or in studies involving the nuclear structure of atoms, the identification and separation of different isotopes are crucial and often employ advanced technological methods.