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RobusEtCeleritas t1_jczr6i3 wrote

They're often used interchangeably, but that's not technically correct.

A nuclide is a collection of nucleons defined by its number of protons (Z) and number of neutrons (N).

Isotopes are nuclides that have the same Z. So they are the same element, but they can have different numbers of neutrons.

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amypinecone OP t1_jczsxk7 wrote

does that essentially mean that nuclide is more used generally as just describing something by its number of protons and neutrons (as opposed to just describing an element it with it's atomic number for example), and then the term isotopes would more often be used when talking about variations of something (such as carbon having carbon-12, 13, and 14)? sorry if I have it confused still

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QuentaAman t1_jd52mw9 wrote

Just think of nuclide as describing a random atom the has Z protons and N neutrons whereas isotopes is refering to a specific element (Z) with varying number of neutrons N.

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IllustriousArtist109 t1_jd44fsd wrote

Carbon-14 and carbon-12 are different isotopes of carbon ... right?

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EDITED to correct

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RobusEtCeleritas t1_jd4j0yn wrote

>Carbon-14 and carbon-12 are different isotopes of carbon ... right?

Yes.

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dirschau t1_jd17svs wrote

So a nuclide is just a technical term for "(specific) atomic nucleus but without any electrons"?

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