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General
Chemistry 1

Quarter 1 - Module 5:
Common Isotopes and
Their Uses
 What I Need to Know?

This module was made to educate you on the nature of isotopes and how
those isotopes contributed in many aspects of human life. Despite of their known
uses in various fields, these may still pose danger to anyone if safety precautionary
measures were not observed. In addition, understanding how the number of
nucleons (protons and neutrons) dictates the existence of isotope of a particular
element. Thus, knowing the process of determining the mass number and neutron
number of an isotope through mathematical operations is important skill to
acquire. The scope of this module covers many different learning situations where
students could relate their personal experiences on isotopes. The language used
recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to
follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them
can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. recognize common isotopes and their uses, (STEM_GC11AMlc-e19).

What I Know?
(Critical Thinking)

To check your prior knowledge about the topic, and to solicit the questions
that you want to know about it, fill in the Know and Want to know components of
the Know-Want to know- Learned (KWL) chart properly and correctly. For the Know
component, you may write word/s or sentence. For the want to know component,
state your responses in interrogative or question form. You may list as many
responses as you want for each component. Write your responses on a separate
sheet of paper.

KWL Chart
Topic Know Want to know Learned
Isotopes

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Guide Questions
1. Based from what you have written on the Know component of the chart, what do
you know about isotopes?

2. If you were to think of a question that you want to ask about isotopes, what
question would that be?

HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
DIRECTION: After you have filled-in the K and W components of the
chart and answered the guide questions, answer now the diagnostic
assessment below within 10 minutes.

PRE-TEST
Multiple Choice. Read and answer each statement carefully then write the letter of
the best answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Uranium-235 has 92 protons. How may neutrons does it have?

A. 143 C. 235
B. 92 D. 90
2. What are isotopes?
A. Atoms that have the same number of neutrons but have different
numbers of protons.
B. Atoms that have the same number of electrons but have different
numbers of protons.
C. Atoms that have the same number of protons but have different
numbers of neutrons.
D. Atoms that have the same number of neutrons and protons.
3. Uranium-238 has 92 protons. How many neutrons does it have?
A. 239 C. 92
B. 146 D. 330
4. Why is deuterium H 1 sometimes called heavy hydrogen?
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A. It has extra nucleus C. It has extra electron

B. It has extra proton D. It has extra neutron
5. The beta particle has a charge of ___
A. -1 C. +1
B. -2 D. +4

HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
DIRECTION: Rest for 1 minute then you may start reading the lesson
1 below about the nature and uses of isotopes.

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Lesson
Isotopes and Their Uses
1

The study of atoms entails a lot of concepts such as their subatomic

particles, atomic structures, discoverer and properties. One fascinating area of
study of atoms is the isotopes. Many of us have heard this word already but have
limited clear understanding what the concept is.

Isotopes are often related to nuclear energy which is being used in many
industries. This is because the nuclear energy usually comes from radioisotopes- a
kind of isotopes that is radioactive. Many of the food products in the market were
subjected to radiation that comes from radioisotopes. Only few people knew this
because the industries are aware that people are sensitive to the use of nuclear
energy. This module will discuss the nature of isotopes as well as their kinds,
examples and uses.

What’s In?

LET US HAVE SOME FUN!

Picture Analysis. Analyze the picture below then answer the corresponding
guide questions.

Guide Questions
1. What is the picture showing to us? Why did you say so?
2. Which instrument or device was used to capture the image? Why?
3. How is isotope related to the image?

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 HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
DIRECTION: After you analyze the given picture and answered the
guide questions, let us proceed to what’s new. Read the direction
carefully.

What’s New?
(Communication)

IMPORTANT VOCABULARY WORDS

Read the description of important terms that you will encounter in this
module.

VOCABULARY WORD MEANING

1. Proton The positively charged particle of the atom.
2. Neutron The uncharged particle of the atom.

HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
DIRECTION: After finding out the meaning of important terms that
you will encounter as you read the next part, make time to read the
nature of isotopes below thoroughly.

What are Isotopes?

Isotopes
The word isotope was derived from Greek words isos and topos which means
“the same place”. Isotopes variants of an element are still found in the same
location in the periodic table of elements. This term was introduced by a British
Chemist Frederick Soddy.

What is the Nature of Isotopes?

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of
protons but different in the number of neutrons. For example, the most common
oxygen isotope has 8 neutrons inside the nucleus, but other isotopes have 9 or 10
neutrons.

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 ISOTOPES Subatomic Particles

Oxygen- 16 Number of Proton = 8

16
Number of Neutron = 8
O Mas number = 16
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Oxygen-17 Number of Protons = 8

17
Number of Neutron = 9
O Mass number = 17
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Oxygen-18 Number of Protons = 8

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Number of Neutrons = 10
O Mass number = 18
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Isotopes of Oxygen

To identify a specific isotope of an element, write the name of the element

followed by a hyphen and the mass number of the isotope. Isotopes of oxygen are
presented below.
 Oxygen-16 for the isotope with mass number of 16
 Oxygen-17 for the isotope with mass number of 17
 Oxygen-18 for the isotope with mass number of 18

An oxygen atom with eight protons and eight neutrons and has a mass
number of 16, its name is Oxygen-16. Oxygen-17 has eight protons and nine
neutrons and its mass number is 17. And lastly, an oxygen atom with eight protons
and ten neutrons and has a mass number of eighteen.
Due to the variations of the mass number of the isotopes like Oxygen-16,
Oxygen-17 and Oxygen-18, the relative atomic mass should be computed as
indicated in the periodic table. The atomic mass of oxygen indicated in the periodic
table is 15.999. How this figure obtained? To calculate the atomic mass of an
element, you have to multiply the mass number of each isotope by its percentage
abundance in decimal form. Then add these amounts together to find the relative
atomic mass.
For example, Chlorine-35 makes up 75.53 percent of all the chlorine in
nature, and Chlorine-37 makes up the other 24.47 percent. The relative atomic
mass of chlorine is calculated as follows;

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 Isotope Mass number Atomic Mass Percentage Relative Atomic
Number Unit Abundance Mass

Chlorine-35 35 34.969 75.53% 35.45

Chlorine-37 37 36.966 24.47%

PRACTICE EXERCISE : Problem Solving

Boron has two isotopes, Boron-10 and Boron-11, whose percentage
abundances are 19.8% and 80.2% respectively. The atomic masses of Boron-10
and Boron-11 are 10.0129 amu and 11.0093 amu respectively. Write the symbols
for the two isotopes of boron and determine the relative atomic mass.
Isotope Mass number Atomic Mass Percentage Relative Atomic
Number Unit Abundance Mass
___________ ____________ _____________ ____________ _______________
___________ ____________ _____________ ____________

When we talk about the chemical properties of isotopes of a given element

they are almost the same or identical. Different isotopes exhibit nearly identical
chemical behaviours. However, when it comes to physical properties of isotopes like
the mass, melting point, melting point, density and freezing point they are all
different. Some isotopes of an element have unique properties because they are
unstable. An unstable atom is an atom whose nucleus can change its composition.
This type of isotope is called radioisotope. Radioisotopes are radioactive isotope
because they produce radiation as they breakdown in the process.

Important Isotopes
Isotope Use/s
Sodium-24 Injected into limb to detect blood cloth
Cobalt-60 Detect and Treat Cancer/ use to kill bacteria
Iodine-131 Detect functions of Thyroid Gland
Phosphorous-32 Added to fertilizer to study plant processes
Nitrogen-15 Added to fertilizer to study plant processes
Cesium-137 Use to kill bacteria
Flourine-18 Use for diagnosis and treatment of diseases
Gallium-67 Use for diagnosis and treatment of diseases
Carbon-14 Carbon dating Process

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 HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
Did you understand what you have read about isotopes? If yes, let us
proceed to the mini-performance task. You are about to perform the
procedure as instructed in the Mini-performance task. Read and follow
the procedure carefully. Good luck!

Mini-Performance Task
(Collaboration)

Activity 1 – Isotope Brochure

Procedure
1. Choose an isotope that you want to discuss and present it in a brochure format.
Discuss the history, applications in various fields like medicine, agriculture,
industries and health, as well as the adverse effects.
2. Prepare 1 long special cardboard paper, pen, cut-outs of the chosen isotopes
and adhesive material such as glue.
3. Fold the special cardboard paper into 3 then make a lay out of your isotope
brochure.

Output Presentation

(Title Page) (History) (Detailed

Application)
______________
______________ ______________
ISOTOPE
______________ ______________
BROCHURE
______________ ______________
______________
______________
______________
______________
______________
______________
______________
______________
______________
______________

Questions
1. Which filed is the chosen isotope most useful?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Is there any adverse effect in using the chosen isotope? How?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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 What I Have Learned?
(Critical Thinking)

You have to fill in the L component of the KWL chart to generalize the things
they have learned about the topic.
KWL Chart
Topic Know Want to know Learned
Isotope I have learned that
….

HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
After you have filled-in the L component of the chart, proceed now to
the what I can do.

What I Can Do?

(Character and Creativity)

WORK IN PROGRESS

Added task to you.

As a Filipino Scientist, you are tasked to choose an isotope and use it to
your proposed invention or innovation. Draw your plan and explain the details.

HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
Congratulations Mi Amigo! You are almost done in this lesson. Let us do
the last part which is the assessment.

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 Assessment
(Critical Thinking)

POST-TEST

Problem Solving (10 pts.)

Silicon has three isotopes, Silicon-28, Silicon-29 and Silicon-30, whose
percentage abundances are 92.21%, 4.70% and 3.09% respectively. The atomic
masses are 27.977 amu, 28.976 amu and 29.974amu respectively. Write the
symbols for the three isotopes of silicon and determine the relative atomic mass.

Isotope Mass number Atomic Mass Percentage Relative Atomic

Number Unit Abundance Mass
___________ ____________ _____________ ____________ _______________
___________ ____________ _____________ ____________
___________ ____________ _____________ ____________

HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
Congratulations Mi Amigo!!! We are done in this module. You may now
proceed to the next module. See you next time.

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 REFERENCES

Mendoza E. and Religioso T. (2008). Chemistry Laboratory Manual. Phoenix

Publication

Mendoza E. (2003). Chemistry Textbook. Phoenix Publication

Acknowledgements
Writer: Gary R. Ramos, MAT-GS
Editors: Ma. Teresa M. Chico- PSDS, Rosalina Aranzamendez- PSDS and Ma. Victoria
Santos- PSDS
Reviewers: Amalia C. Solis- EPS, Rebecca M. Roxas- EPS and Lucita A. Gener- EPS
Management Team: Maria Magdelema M. Lim- Schools Division Superintendent-
Manila, Aida H. Rondilla- Chief Education Supervisor, Lucky S. Carpio- EPS and Lady
Hannah C. Gillo, Librarian II- LRMS

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 ANSWER SHEET
Module 5 – Common Isotopes and Their Uses

Name: ______________________________ Grade/ Sec. ____________________ Score: ___

Teacher: ____________________________ School: _________________________ Date: ____

General Direction: Write your answers here from Pre-Test to Post-Test including
the answers in the activities. Detach and submit this part to your teacher upon
his/her direction which usually given after you have completed this module.

KWL CHART
Topic Know Want to know Learned
Isotope

PRE-TEST
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

POST-TEST
Isotope Mass number Atomic Mass Percentage Relative Atomic
Number Unit Abundance Mass
___________ ____________ _____________ ____________ _______________
___________ ____________ _____________ ____________
___________ ____________ _____________ ____________

PRACTICE EXERCISE : Problem Solving

Isotope Mass number Atomic Mass Percentage Relative Atomic
Number Unit Abundance Mass
___________ ____________ _____________ ____________ _______________
___________ ____________ _____________ ____________

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Activity 1- Isotope Brochure

Output Presentation

Questions
Answer to Questions
1.________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

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