Isotopic effects

Definition of isotopes

Isotopes may be defined as :

(1) The atoms of an element which have the same number of protons and different number of neutrons are called Isotopes.

(2) The atoms of an element which have the same atomic number but different atomic masses or mass numbers.

Examples of isotopes

Isotopes of Hydrogen

Isotopes of Neon

Isotopes of Oxygen

Isotopes of Chlorine

Isotopes of Uranium

Isotopic effects

** Although in many respects the chemistry of the isotopes of an element is the same, there are significant differences between them due to difference in masses.

** Thus the physical properties of the compounds of each isotope of an element are distinctly different from those of others.

** Similarly, reaction rates of the individual isotopes are also different.

** The differences in isotopes due to mass differences are termed Isotopic Effects.

** The isotopic effects show up clearly in the isotopes of hydrogen ¹H₁and ²H₁ (D) .

** The differences in the physical properties of water from ordinary hydrogen ¹H₁ and heavy hydrogen D are listed in  this Table

** The isotopic effects are also exhibited by the difference in the reaction rates of the two isotopes of hydrogen.

** Under similar conditions, the reaction of the heavy isotopes with chlorine is about six times slower than that of light isotope.

** This difference in reaction rates is explained by the fact that the covalent bond formed by deuterium is slightly stronger than the corresponding bond with ordinary hydrogen. Hence a reaction that breaks a deuterium covalent bond is slower than the same reaction involving bond to light hydrogen.

Applications of isotopic effects

** There are several useful applications of isotopic effects.

** One method of separation of isotopes of hydrogen depends on the fact that the electrolysis of heavy water (D₂O) is slower than the electrolysis of normal water.

** Pure heavy water is a valuable by-product of the electrolysis of water, since large quantities are required in nuclear reactors to moderate the rate of the uranium fission reaction.

Reference: Essentials of Physical Chemistry /Arun Bahl, B.S Bahl and G.D. Tuli / multicolour edition.