The word ion refers to an atom that is either negatively or positively charged, while the isotopes of an element are different variations of its atoms. Despite being linked to the atoms within the element, ions, and isotopes differ widely in numerous ways.
Ions vs Isotopes
The difference between Ions and isotopes is that Ions exist when electrons are insufficient or excessive in an atom, and the deficiency or excess amount determines an atom’s positive and negative charge. On the other hand, isotopes exist when neutrons in an atom are insufficient or excessive.
Want to save this article for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own articles box!
The word ion refers to either negatively or positively charged atoms. They exist when electrons are insufficient or excessive in an atom. The excess or deficient amount determines the positive or negative charge of the atoms.
The number of protons in all atoms of a particular element is the same, but the number of neutrons may differ. Due to this, an element has several isotopes that have similar chemical properties and behaviors.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Ions | Isotopes |
|---|---|---|
| Existence | It exists when an atom has an excess or deficient amount of electrons. | It exists when an atom has an excess or deficient amount of neutrons. |
| Nomenclature | Derived from the Greek word ‘iov’ that means ‘going.’ | Derived from the Greek words ‘isos’ and ‘topos,’ meaning ‘in the same place.’ |
| Classification | They are either atomic after consisting of a single atom or molecular after consisting of several atoms. | They are mainly classified into two types- unstable and stable. |
| Definition | Refers to the negatively or positively charged atoms. | Refers to the different variations of atoms in an element. |
| Named by | English physicist Michael Faraday. | Suggested by Margaret Todd to Frederick Soddy. |
What are Ions?
The word ion refers to an atom that is either negatively or positively charged, and the word originated from the Greek word ‘iov,’ meaning ‘going.’ Michael Faraday, an English physicist, coined the term.
The inadequate or excess amount of electrons in an atom determines the positive and negative charge of the atom. Therefore, the atom will have a positive charge when there are excessive electrons.
The ions are largely classified into atomic and molecular. Ions that consist of a single atom are categorized either as atomic or monoatomic ions.
What are Isotopes?
The word isotope of an element refers to the different variations of atoms, and the word originated from the Greek words ‘isos’ and ‘topos’, meaning ‘in the same place.’
Isotopes mainly exist when an atom has an excessive or inadequate amount of neutrons. The number of protons in all atoms of a particular element is the same, but the number of neutrons may differ.
The Isotopes are significantly categorized into stable and unstable isotopes. Therefore, stable isotopes are naturally the ones that do not decay.
Main Differences Between Ions and Isotopes
- Ions may be either molecular or atomic, whereas the isotopes may be unstable or stable.
- Ions mainly exist when an atom has an inadequate or excessive amount of electrons. On the other hand, Isotopes mainly exist when an atom has an excessive or inadequate amount of neutrons.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S088329271000140X
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ja00543a009
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
