What's the difference between isotopes and radioisotopes?



Answer:
Strictly speaking from a chemistry point of view, an isotope and radioisotope both have more nuetrons in the nucleus than the more stable common element (such as Carbon14 having two more nuetrons than the usual Carbon12 - a straightforward example of an isotope).

On the other hand, as elements get larger and larger - so does the number of nuetrons that can be placed into the nucleus and can form a semi-stable isotope that can radiate. Think about the number of electrons that would be orbiting around a Plutonium Atom with 94 protons, which can have upwards towards 140-146 neutrons (for a total of 244-250 neutrons + protons in the nucleus). The electrons orbiting the atom would be very far away from the nucleus, and can be lost more readily - giving off beta-rays, or free electrons.

Radioisotopes in general are more unstable because they are larger and contain more neutrons, making them radioactive.

Good question - hope this helps.
I just guessing, both are isotopes, but radioisotopes are isotopes that are more unstable and more radioactive.
An isotope is a variety of an atom of an element. It has a different number of neutrons, but the same number of protons.
A radioisotope is an isotope that is radioactive. That means that it is unstable and ends to give off nuclear particles, thus changing into an other element. (particles are alpha=He nucleus, beta=electron, gamma = high energy ray)
there the same
They have different ratios of mass.
radio-isotopes have tuners and a volume knobs

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