Question about Helium vs Helium-4
- From: Jim <Jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:11:34 -0500
Hi,
I came across something that has me puzzled. My understanding is that
a helium atom has 2 protons and 2 neutrons. I also understand that an
isotope for an element is that element with the same number of protons
but a different number of neutrons.
I came across a definition of helium-4. The description says that it
is a light isotope of helium and that it has 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
My question is how can it be an isotope, let alone a "light" isotope,
if its nucleus contains the same number of protons and neutrons as
regular helium.
Googling has not helped to answer my question. I'm assuming that it's
something simple that I am not aware of and am hoping that someone
here can answer. Thanks.
PS. Please reply to the group as the email address is a fake to foil
spammers.
Jim.
.
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