Question

How do isotopes of an element differ? In what ways are they the same?

Answer 1

Hint In general, isotopes of an element differ in the mass number, however, they possess the same atomic number and hence, they also show similar chemical as well as physical properties.

Complete answer:
Isotope, one among two or more species of atoms of a substance with the identical number and position within the table and nearly identical chemical behaviour but with different atomic masses and physical properties. Every element has one or more isotopes.
Isotopes can either form spontaneously (naturally) through disintegration of a nucleus (i.e., emission of energy within the variety of alpha particles, beta particles, neutrons, and photons) or artificially by bombarding a stable nucleus with charged particles via accelerators or neutrons in an exceedingly nuclear reactors.
Radioisotopes are accustomed to diagnose and treat many medical conditions and diseases, including cancer and thyroid disorders. Thyroid conditions are diagnosed and treated using radioactive iodine, which concentrates within the thyroid. Bone scans use radioactive phosphorus, and muscle imaging uses potassium.
The unstable isotopes undergo spontaneous decay during which radiation is emitted and achieve a stable state, however they share common chemical behaviour. It is because of this property of radioisotopes which helps in diagnosis and treatment, archaeological dating of artifacts and food preservation.
The number of nucleons (both neutrons and protons) within the nucleus is named as the atom's nucleon number, and the nucleon number is what differentiates the isotopes. As an example, carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14 are three isotopes of the element carbon with mass numbers 12, 13, and 14, respectively.

Note: Breathing in radioisotopes may damage DNA. Radioactive isotopes can irradiate for a long time in the human stomach. High doses of radioisotopes may lead to sterility or mutations. Radiation can also burn skin or may cause cancer.