Mixing element

A mixing element is a chemical element of which several isotopes exist in nature . It consists of several different types of atoms , all of which contain the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons in the atomic nucleus .

Most of the naturally occurring elements (see nuclide map and list of isotopes ) are mixed elements. Of these, tin (Sn) has the highest number of naturally occurring isotopes with 10 stable isotopes. Only 22 elements are pure elements . Of these, only 19 are absolutely stable; Thorium , plutonium and bismuth , on the other hand, are radioactive , but with very long half-lives.

Some mixed elements also have natural radioactive isotopes, the half-life of which is often millions of years. Thus, many mixing elements are basically - albeit slightly - radioactive. The radioactive decay changes the isotope ratio of, for example, potassium in its compounds over time. This can be used to determine the age of fossils . The radiocarbon method is also important .

Number of natural isotopes
Absolutely stable nuclides plus primordial nuclides (half-life over 50 million years)

H																															Hey
Li	Be																									B.	C.	N	O	F.	No
N / A	Mg																									Al	Si	P	S.	Cl	Ar
K	Approx	Sc															Ti	V	Cr	Mn	Fe	Co	Ni	Cu	Zn	Ga	Ge	As	Se	Br	Kr
Rb	Sr	Y															Zr	Nb	Mon	Tc	Ru	Rh	Pd	Ag	CD	In	Sn	Sb	Te	I.	Xe
Cs	Ba	La	Ce	Pr	Nd	Pm	Sm	Eu	Gd	Tb	Dy	Ho	He	Tm	Yb	Lu	Hf	Ta	W.	re	Os	Ir	Pt	Au	Ed	Tl	Pb	Bi	Po	At	Marg
Fr.	Ra	Ac	Th	Pa	U	Np	Pooh	At the	Cm	Bk	Cf	It	Fm	Md	No	Lr	Rf	Db	Sg	Bra	Hs	Mt	Ds	Rg	Cn	Nh	Fl	Mc	Lv	Ts	Above

Legend

10 isotopes

9 isotopes

8 isotopes

7 isotopes

6 isotopes

5 isotopes

4 isotopes

3 isotopes

2 isotopes

Pure element

artificial element