Elements and isotopes

Elements are pure substances made of only one type of atom, characterized by a specific number of protons in their nucleus. Isotopes are different forms of the same element, with the same number of protons but varying numbers of neutrons. This variation affects the atom's mass but not its chemical properties. For example, carbon has isotopes like Carbon-12 and Carbon-14, with different neutron counts. Understanding elements and isotopes helps explain the diversity of matter and phenomena like radioactivity and dating methods used in science.