26 Which subatomic particle is the difference between isotopes of the element?
(A) Subatomic particles do not change an isotope
(B) Electron
© Proton
(D) Neutron

The key to understanding isotopes lies in the neutrons! Isotopes are variations of the same element that have the same number of protons (and thus the same atomic number) but differ in the number of neutrons. This difference in neutrons leads to variations in atomic mass while keeping the chemical properties largely intact, which can be quite intriguing!

Decoding the distinctions between isotopes has real-world applications, particularly in fields like medicine and environmental science. For instance, radioactive isotopes are used in medical imaging and cancer treatment, while stable isotopes help in tracing chemical pathways in ecological studies. Isn’t it fascinating how tiny particles can have such a big impact?