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Isotopes Definition

Chemistry Glossary Definition of Isotopes

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com

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Definition: Atoms with the same number of protons, but differing numbers of neutrons. Isotopes are different forms of a single element.

Examples: Carbon 12 and Carbon 14 are both isotopes of carbon, one with 6 neutrons and one with 8 neutrons (both with 6 protons).

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