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Isotopes


           An isotope is sort of a sub element.  For instance, Mercury has 7 naturally occuring isotopes and  5radioactive isotopes.  If you have trouble adding, that’s 12 isotopes or Mercury.  Same element, different # of neutrons giving you a daughter of that element.  So, Mercury has 12 daughters, what a guy!


Naturally Occurring Isotopes:

 

Name (nominal Mass)

Actual Mass

% Natural abundance

196Hg

195.965807

.14

198Hg

197.966743

10.02

199Hg

198.968254

16.84

200Hg

199.968300

23.13

201Hg

200.970277

13.22

202Hg

201.970617

29.80

204Hg

203.973467

6.85

 

Radioactive Isotopes

Name (nominal Mass)

Atctual Mass

Half Life

194Hg

193.965391

520 years

195mHg

194.966640

1.67 days

197Hg

196.967187

64.1 hours

197mHg

-

23.8 hours

203Hg

202.972848

46.61 days