Isotope

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈaɪ.sÉ™.təʊp/
• US IPA: /ˈaɪ.sÉ™.toÊŠp/

Coined in 1914 by British chemist Frederick Soddy from Ancient Greek ἴσος (ísos, "equal; same") and τόπος (tópos, "place"), because the different isotopes of a chemical element always occupy the same position in the periodic table of elements. Compare the synonymous Icelandic word samsæta.

Full definition of isotope

Noun

1. (physics) Any of two or more forms of an element where the atoms have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons within their nuclei. As a consequence, atoms for the same isotope will have the same atomic number but a different mass number (atomic weight).

Derived terms

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈaɪ.sÉ™.toÊŠp/

Possible back-formation from isotopy.

Verb

1. (topology, transitive) To define or demonstrate an isotopy of (one map with another).

Related terms

• homotope

Anagrams

• pooiest
• pooties