Why do different isotopes of the same element exhibit similar chemical properties but slightly different physical properties?
ChemistryClass 9CBSEAnswered 12 May 2026
Answer
Isotopes have similar chemical properties because chemical reactions primarily involve the valence electrons, and isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons and thus the same electron configuration (and number of valence electrons). They have slightly different physical properties (like density or melting/boiling points) because their different number of neutrons leads to different atomic masses.
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