how to identify the isotope of an element
Isotope Isotopes are atoms of the same element having the same numbers of protons (atomic number), but different numbers of neutrons. They have same chemical properties due to the same electron configuration, but different physical properties.[citation needed]
Chemical element A chemical element is a species of atoms having the same number of protons in their atomic nuclei (that is, the same atomic number, or Z).[1] 118 elements are identified, of which the first 94 occur naturally on Earth with the remaining 24 being synthetic elements. There are 80 elements that have at least one stable isotope and 38 that have exclusively radionuclides, which decay over time into other elements. Iron is the most abundant element (by mass) making up Earth, while oxygen is the most common element in the Earth's crust.[2]