Isotopes and Atomic Mass

Isotopes are variations of the elements in the periodic table which have a different number of neutrons. Some are more common than others, and most tend to be unstable, though a few isotopes are quite common in nature.

Isotopes and Atomic Mass is a relatively simple, Java-based simulation that can help you learn more about isotopes in an accessible manner. You can see how their differ from regular chemical elements and how abundant they are. It is very simple to set up and configure, but it requires Java to be installed on your computer.

You start off with a simple atom, which you can turn into an isotope by adding or removing neutrons. You can keep an eye on the atomic mass to see how it changes, as well as look at how stable the isotope is.

The application also displays a chart on the right-hand side, which shows you how abundant the created isotope is in nature.

Once you’ve created one or more isotopes, you can try mixing them to see how the average atomic mass is affected. You can work with quite a few chemical elements, which you can select from the periodic table.

Alternatively, you can have the program display the isotope mix that is found in nature. You can learn how common each of these isotopes is and the overall composition of isotopes for each chemical element.

It can be difficult for students to pay attention in chemistry class, but simulations like these can go a long way toward making the lesson more interesting. It displays the information in a very accessible manner and even allows students to create their own isotopes, as well as see a visual representation of their abundance.