CINXE.COM
DOE Explains...Isotopes | Department of Energy
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ og: http://ogp.me/ns# rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# schema: http://schema.org/ sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema# "> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-GS1KB7R8DY"></script> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)};gtag("js", new Date());gtag("set", "developer_id.dMDhkMT", true);gtag("config", "G-GS1KB7R8DY", {"groups":"default","page_placeholder":"PLACEHOLDER_page_location","allow_ad_personalization_signals":false});gtag("config", "UA-17192165-1", {"groups":"default","anonymize_ip":true,"page_placeholder":"PLACEHOLDER_page_path","allow_ad_personalization_signals":false});gtag("config", "G-MFMY1F6D3V", {"groups":"default","page_placeholder":"PLACEHOLDER_page_location","allow_ad_personalization_signals":false});</script> <meta name="description" content="DOE Explains...Isotopes" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsisotopes" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.energy.gov/node/4451492" /> <meta name="generator" content="Drupal 8 (http://drupal.org)" /> <link rel="image_src" href="https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/doe-explains-isotopes.png" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Energy.gov" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsisotopes" /> <meta property="og:title" content="DOE Explains...Isotopes" /> <meta property="og:description" content="DOE Explains...Isotopes" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/doe-explains-isotopes.png" /> <meta property="og:image:url" content="https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/doe-explains-isotopes.png" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/png" /> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="Hydrogen and its two naturally occurring isotopes, deuterium and tritium. All three have the same number of protons (labeled p+) but different numbers of neutrons (labeled n)." /> <meta property="og:street_address" content="1000 Independence Ave. SW" /> <meta property="og:locality" content="Washington D.C." /> <meta property="og:postal_code" content="20585" /> <meta property="og:country_name" content="USA" /> <meta property="og:phone_number" content="202-586-5000" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="DOE Explains...Isotopes" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@ENERGY" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="DOE Explains...Isotopes" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsisotopes" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/doe-explains-isotopes.png" /> <meta name="twitter:image:alt" content="Hydrogen and its two naturally occurring isotopes, deuterium and tritium. All three have the same number of protons (labeled p+) but different numbers of neutrons (labeled n)." /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <style>.page-hero { background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, transparent 33%, rgba(41, 41, 41, .7)), url(https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/doe-explains-banner_1.jpg) !important } .page-title { color: #ffffff !important }</style> <link rel="icon" href="/sites/default/files/favicon_1.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsisotopes" /> <script src="/sites/default/files/google_tag/eere.energy.gov/google_tag.script.js?srtlv8" defer></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/google_tag/energygov/google_tag.script.js?srtlv8" defer></script> <title>DOE Explains...Isotopes | Department of Energy</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_Lw0L1LmDyA2VSTRGeOkq_Jph9nvJIvdl8tArl35alt0.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=energy_gov&include=eJx9kMFuxDAIRH_ICpf-j8XarIPimAiIU_99Xe1G7aHqbRieNAMZHSsOUnjQip1FLVAjLSMmaU7N4T3Sp1duW3hOGy8y2Ql-6cV6-W-32Mp7sGFOOzzQKJx2ZYvfEp6KO12i251dpAOakc82r1zIeh5Yl7vGG8SGdTgngyJSKv0YfxD4EanPk6Irpo1buRkj1LQCHkeYz5DTY2ZL0kkHSKMkNRg7XZxnQCV14Mb-Bd9HfaI" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_OD0MJ2QWRtiKP19tTtBJJTClJ3cOa0Lx4xIv8EoUXHk.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=energy_gov&include=eJx9kMFuxDAIRH_ICpf-j8XarIPimAiIU_99Xe1G7aHqbRieNAMZHSsOUnjQip1FLVAjLSMmaU7N4T3Sp1duW3hOGy8y2Ql-6cV6-W-32Mp7sGFOOzzQKJx2ZYvfEp6KO12i251dpAOakc82r1zIeh5Yl7vGG8SGdTgngyJSKv0YfxD4EanPk6Irpo1buRkj1LQCHkeYz5DTY2ZL0kkHSKMkNRg7XZxnQCV14Mb-Bd9HfaI" /> <script src="https://kit.fontawesome.com/24bc2d8eeb.js" defer crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <script src="https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v6.1.0/js/v4-shims.js" defer crossorigin="anonymous"></script> </head> <body> <div id="skip-link-container"> <a href="#main-content" class="visually-hidden focusable skip-link"> Skip to main content </a> </div> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-WZQX9F4" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript><noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-PCSS9JS>m_auth=rQjC8QLyy7zCI51ldZjEbA>m_preview=env-3>m_cookies_win=x" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <section id="usa-govt-website-banner" class="usa-banner" aria-label="Official website of the United States government"> <div class="usa-banner"> <div class="usa-accordion"> <header class="usa-banner__header"> <div class="usa-banner__inner"> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <img class="usa-banner__header-flag" aria-hidden="true" src="/themes/custom/energy_gov/assets/img/us_flag_small.png" alt=""> </div> <div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto" aria-hidden="true"> <p class="usa-banner__header-text">An official website of the United States government</p> <p class="usa-banner__header-action" aria-hidden="true">Here's how you know</p> </div> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner"> <span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here's how you know</span> </button> </div> </header> <div class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content" id="gov-banner" hidden=""> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg"> <div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"> <img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/custom/energy_gov/assets/img/icon-dot-gov.svg" alt="Dot gov"> <div class="usa-media-block__body"> <p> <strong>Official websites use .gov</strong> <br> A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. </p> </div> </div> <div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"> <img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/custom/energy_gov/assets/img/icon-https.svg" alt="Https"> <div class="usa-media-block__body"> <p> <strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong> <br> A <strong>lock</strong> ( <span class="icon-lock"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description" focusable="false"> <title id="banner-lock-title">Lock</title> <desc id="banner-lock-description">Locked padlock</desc> <path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"/> </svg> </span> ) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div class="usa-overlay"></div> <header class="usa-header usa-header--extended usa-header--extended-megamenu" id="header" role="banner"> <div id="header-container"> <div class="region region-header usa-navbar"> <button id="megamenu-hamburger-btn" class="usa-menu-btn megamenu-mobile-btn" type="button" aria-label="Main Menu"></button> <div class="usa-logo site-logo" id="logo"> <em class="usa-logo__text"> <a class="logo-img" href="/" accesskey="1" title="Home" aria-label="Home"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2025-02/logo-image.png" alt="Home" /> </a> </em> </div> <div id="search-btn-container-mobile" class="usa-accordion search-mobile"> <button type="button" id="megamenu-search-btn-mobile" class="search usa-accordion__button usa-current" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="search-nav" aria-label="search"></button> <div id="search-nav-mobile" class="usa-nav__submenu search-nav-mobile-class" hidden> <section aria-label="Search form"> <div class="energy-global-search-mobile"></div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <nav class="usa-nav" role="navigation"> <div class="usa-nav__inner"> <ul id="main-megamenu" class="usa-nav__primary usa-accordion"> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button primary-btn " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="extended-mega-nav-section-1-1-1"> <span>About</span> </button> <ul id="extended-mega-nav-section-1-1-1" class="usa-nav__submenu usa-megamenu usa-accordion" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-secondary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-secondary"> <span>About</span> </button> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-1-2-1"> <span>Our Agency</span> </button> </div> <ul id="basic-nav-section-1-2-1" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary"> <span>Our Agency</span> </button> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/lm/history" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847006"> <span>History </span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/our-leadership-offices" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847008"> <span>Our Leadership & Offices</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/nnsa/national-nuclear-security-administration" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846918"> <span>The National Nuclear Security Administration</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/us-energy-information-administration-eia" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846910"> <span>The Energy Information Administration</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/us-department-energy-national-laboratories" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846909"> <span>National Laboratories</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/power-marketing-administrations" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846919"> <span>Power Marketing Administrations</span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-1-2-2"> <span>Our Outreach</span> </button> </div> <ul id="basic-nav-section-1-2-2" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary"> <span>Our Outreach</span> </button> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/newsroom" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847098"> <span>Newsroom</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/digital-engagement-and-media" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846997"> <span>Digital Engagement and Media</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/design" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4831064"> <span>Brand Guides</span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button primary-btn " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="extended-mega-nav-section-2-1-2"> <span>Our Mission</span> </button> <ul id="extended-mega-nav-section-2-1-2" class="usa-nav__submenu usa-megamenu usa-accordion" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-secondary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-secondary"> <span>Our Mission</span> </button> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-2-2-1"> <span>Security & Safety</span> </button> </div> <ul id="basic-nav-section-2-2-1" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary"> <span>Security & Safety</span> </button> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/nuclear-security" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847066"> <span>Nuclear Security</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/energy-security" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847073"> <span>Energy Security</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/cybersecurity" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847042"> <span>Cybersecurity</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/environmental-and-legacy-management" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847080"> <span>Environmental & Legacy Management</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/research-technology-and-economic-security" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847037"> <span>Research, Technology, & Economic Security</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/emergency-response-hub" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846993"> <span>Emergency Response</span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-2-2-2"> <span>Scientific Excellence</span> </button> </div> <ul id="basic-nav-section-2-2-2" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary"> <span>Scientific Excellence</span> </button> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="https://www.osti.gov/" class="link"> <span>Scientific Research Database (OSTI) </span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/science/department-energy-nobel-laureates" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846920"> <span>Nobel Prize Laureates</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/national-science-bowl" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847059"> <span>National Science Bowl</span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-2-2-3"> <span>Environment</span> </button> </div> <ul id="basic-nav-section-2-2-3" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary"> <span>Environment</span> </button> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/earth-systems-modeling" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847056"> <span>Earth Systems Modeling</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/extreme-weather-resiliency" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847094"> <span>Extreme Weather Resiliency</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="https://nvcl.energy.gov/" class="link"> <span>National Virtual Climate Laboratory</span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-2-2-4"> <span>Energy Access</span> </button> </div> <ul id="basic-nav-section-2-2-4" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary"> <span>Energy Access</span> </button> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/grid-deployment-and-transmission" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847031"> <span>Grid Deployment & Transmission</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/puerto-rico-grid-resilience-and-modernization" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847071"> <span>Puerto Rico Grid Resilience & Transitions (PR 100)</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/tribal-energy-access" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847044"> <span>Tribal Energy Access</span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-2-2-5"> <span>Economic Growth</span> </button> </div> <ul id="basic-nav-section-2-2-5" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary"> <span>Economic Growth</span> </button> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/energy-workforce" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847038"> <span>Energy Workforce</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/american-manufacturing" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847084"> <span>American Manufacturing</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/advancing-innovation-technology-transitions-and-early-investments" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847081"> <span>Technology Transitions & Early Investments</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/commercial-implementation" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847063"> <span>Commercial Implementation</span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-2-2-6"> <span>Global Diplomacy & Leadership</span> </button> </div> <ul id="basic-nav-section-2-2-6" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary"> <span>Global Diplomacy & Leadership</span> </button> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/arctic-cooperation" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847090"> <span>Arctic Cooperation</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/international-market-development" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847048"> <span>International Market Development</span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button primary-btn " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="extended-mega-nav-section-3-1-3"> <span>New Horizons</span> </button> <ul id="extended-mega-nav-section-3-1-3" class="usa-nav__submenu usa-megamenu usa-accordion" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-secondary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-secondary"> <span>New Horizons</span> </button> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/energy-earthshots-initiative" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846923"> <span>Energy Earthshots</span> </a> </div> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/fusion-energy" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846935"> <span>Fusion</span> </a> </div> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/supercomputing" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846963"> <span>Supercomputing</span> </a> </div> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/quantum-information-science" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846911"> <span>Quantum Science</span> </a> </div> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/space-exploration-and-universe" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846915"> <span>Space Exploration & The Universe</span> </a> </div> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/cancer-research" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846916"> <span>Cancer Research</span> </a> </div> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/biotechnology" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846917"> <span>Biotechnology</span> </a> </div> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics/artificial-intelligence" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847061"> <span>Artificial Intelligence</span> </a> </div> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button primary-btn " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="extended-mega-nav-section-4-1-4"> <span>Topics</span> </button> <ul id="extended-mega-nav-section-4-1-4" class="usa-nav__submenu usa-megamenu usa-accordion" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-secondary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-secondary"> <span>Topics</span> </button> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/topics" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="topics"> <span>View All Topics</span> </a> </div> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button primary-btn " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="extended-mega-nav-section-5-1-5"> <span>Consumer Savings</span> </button> <ul id="extended-mega-nav-section-5-1-5" class="usa-nav__submenu usa-megamenu usa-accordion" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-secondary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-secondary"> <span>Consumer Savings</span> </button> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/save" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4827848"> <span>Tax Credits & Rebates</span> </a> </div> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/energysaver/energy-saver" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1174591"> <span>Energy Saving Tips </span> </a> </div> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-nav__primary-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button primary-btn " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="extended-mega-nav-section-6-1-6"> <span>Services & Opportunities</span> </button> <ul id="extended-mega-nav-section-6-1-6" class="usa-nav__submenu usa-megamenu usa-accordion" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-secondary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-secondary"> <span>Services & Opportunities</span> </button> </li> <li> <div class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-6-2-1"> <span>Career Pathways</span> </button> </div> <ul id="basic-nav-section-6-2-1" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden=""> <li class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary-wrapper"> <button type="button" class="mobile-back-btn-tertiary"> <span>Career Pathways</span> </button> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/internships-fellowships" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846914"> <span>Internships & Fellowships</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/apprenticeships-workforce-development" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4846922"> <span>Apprenticeships & Workforce Development</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-nav__submenu-item"> <a href="/work-us-department-energy" class="link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847097"> <span>Work at DOE</span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <div id="search-btn-container" class="usa-accordion search-btn-megamenu search-desktop"> <button type="button" id="megamenu-search-btn" class="search usa-accordion__button usa-current search-icon" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="search-nav" aria-label="Search"> </button> <div id="search-nav" class="usa-nav__submenu" hidden> <section aria-label="Search form"> <div class="energy-global-search"></div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </header> <div class="region-header-ful-width"> <div> <div id="block-energy-gov-sitewidealert" class="block block-sitewide-alert-block"> <div data-sitewide-alert></div> </div> </div> </div> <main class="main-content usa-layout-docs usa-section node-type--page" id="main-content" role="main" tabindex="-1"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row"> </div> <div class=""> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="usa-layout-docs__main desktop:grid-col-fill"> <div id="block-main-breadcrumbs" class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block"> <nav class="usa-breadcrumb" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb"> <h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="usa-sr-only">Breadcrumb</h2> <ol class="usa-breadcrumb__list"> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/science" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"><span>Office of Science</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/science/doe-explainsisotopes" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"><span>DOE Explains...Isotopes</span></a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> <div id="block-pagetitle" class="block block-core block-page-title-block"> <section class="hero hero--page"> <div class="hero__img" style="background-image: url(https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/doe-explains-banner_1.jpg)"></div> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="hero__title"> <h1> <span property="schema:name" class="field field--string field--title">DOE Explains...Isotopes</span> </h1> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div id="block-main-page-content" class="block block-system block-system-main-block"> <article about="/science/doe-explainsisotopes" typeof="schema:WebPage"> <span property="schema:name" content="DOE Explains...Isotopes" class="hidden"></span> <div> <section class="layout blade-section--boxed" > <div class="grid-container"> <div class="blade-color blade-section--white" style=""> <div class="grid-row"> <div class="grid-col"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmedia layout-align layout-center layout-full layout-width"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/full_article_width/public/2024-07/doe-explains-isotopes.png?itok=r3vHOg_a" alt="Hydrogen and its two naturally occurring isotopes, deuterium and tritium. All three have the same number of protons (labeled p+) but different numbers of neutrons (labeled n)." typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="grid-container caption"> <div class="grid-row"> <div class="grid-col-1 caption-icon-wrapper"> <i class="fa-regular fa-camera"></i> </div> <div class="grid-col-11"> <div class="caption-text"> Hydrogen and its two naturally occurring isotopes, deuterium and tritium. All three have the same number of protons (labeled p+) but different numbers of neutrons (labeled n). </div> <div class="caption-attribution"> Image courtesy of Wikimedia commons </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockbasic"> <div class="field field--text_default field--body field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A family of people often consists of related but not identical individuals. Elements have families as well, known as isotopes. Isotopes are members of a family of an element that all have the same number of protons but different numbers of <a href="/science/doe-explainsneutrons" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="b28a66bd-e654-496a-97e4-51654e75bf4f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" aria-label="DOE Explains...Neutrons" title="DOE Explains...Neutrons">neutrons</a>.</p><p>The number of protons in a nucleus determines the element’s atomic number on the Periodic Table. For example, carbon has six protons and is atomic number 6. Carbon occurs naturally in three isotopes: carbon 12, which has 6 neutrons (plus 6 protons equals 12), carbon 13, which has 7 neutrons, and carbon 14, which has 8 neutrons. Every element has its own number of isotopes.</p><p>The addition of even one neutron can dramatically change an isotope’s properties. Carbon-12 is stable, meaning it never undergoes <a href="/science/doe-explainsradioactivity" aria-label="Read more about radioactive decay" title="Read more about radioactive decay">radioactive decay</a>. Carbon-14 is unstable and undergoes radioactive decay with a half-life of about 5,730 years (meaning that after 5,730 years half of the material will have decayed to the stable isotope nitrogen-14). This decay means the amount of carbon-14 in an object serves as a clock, showing the object’s age in a process called “carbon dating.”</p><p>Isotopes have unique properties, and these properties make them useful in diagnostics and treatment applications. They are important in nuclear medicine, oil and gas exploration, basic research, and national security.</p><h2>DOE Office of Science & Isotopes</h2><p>Isotopes are needed for research, commerce, medical diagnostics and treatment, and national security. However, isotopes are not always available in sufficient quantities or at reasonable prices. The <a href="https://science.osti.gov/np/Research/idpra" aria-label="Read more about DOE Isotope Program" title="Read more about DOE Isotope Program">DOE Isotope Program</a> addresses this need. The program produces and distributes radioactive and stable isotopes that are in short supply, including byproducts, surplus materials, and related isotope services. The program also maintains the infrastructure required to produce and supply priority isotope products and related services. Finally, it conducts research and development on new and improved isotope production and processing techniques.</p><h2>Isotope Facts</h2><ul><li>All elements have isotopes.</li><li>There are two main types of isotopes: stable and unstable (radioactive).</li><li>There are 254 known stable isotopes.</li><li>All artificial (lab-made) isotopes are unstable and therefore radioactive; scientists call them radioisotopes.</li><li>Some elements can only exist in an unstable form (for example, uranium).</li><li>Hydrogen is the only element whose isotopes have unique names: deuterium for hydrogen with one neutron and tritium for hydrogen with two neutrons.</li></ul><h2>Resources and Related Terms</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1298983">NSAC Report: Meeting Isotope Needs and Capturing Opportunities for the Future</a></li><li><a href="https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/958307">NSAC: Compelling Research Opportunities Using Isotopes</a></li><li><a href="/science/articles/journey-actinium-225-how-scientists-discovered-new-way-produce">The Journey of Actinium-225: How Scientists Discovered a New Way to Produce a Rare Medical Radioisotope</a></li><li><a href="https://science.osti.gov/Isotope-Research-Development-and-Production">DOE Isotope Development & Production for Research and Applications</a></li><li><a href="https://isotopes.gov/" aria-label="Read more about National Isotope Development Center" title="Read more about National Isotope Development Center">National Isotope Development Center</a> (<a href="https://isotopes.gov/isotope-basics" aria-label="Read more about Isotope Basics" title="Read more about Isotope Basics">Isotope Basics</a>)</li><li>The recently launched <a href="https://frib.msu.edu/about" aria-label="https://frib.msu.edu/about/index.html">Facility for Rare Isotope Beams</a> has completed its groundbreaking <a href="https://frib.msu.edu/news/2022/first-experiment.html" aria-label="https://frib.msu.edu/news/2022/first-experiment.html">first experimental results</a>.</li><li>Learn about what the <a href="https://science.osti.gov/np/Highlights/2023/NP-2023-10-e">Facility for Rare Isotope Beams accomplished in its first year</a></li></ul><p> </p><p><em>Scientific terms can be confusing. </em><a href="/science/doe-explains" aria-label="Read more about DOE Explains" title="Read more about DOE Explains"><em>DOE Explains</em></a><em> offers straightforward explanations of key words and concepts in fundamental science. It also describes how these concepts apply to the work that the Department of Energy’s Office of Science conducts as it helps the United States excel in research across the scientific spectrum.</em></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="blade-section--boxed layout layout--onecol"> <div > </div> </section> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="usa-footer usa-footer--medium" role="contentinfo"> <div class="usa-footer__primary-section"> <div class="usa-footer__primary-content grid-container"> <div class="logo-tagline"> <img src="/themes/custom/energy_gov/svg/nrg-logo-white.svg" alt="U.S. Department of Energy"> <p class="text-bold"> Committed to Restoring America’s Energy Dominance. </p> </div> <div class="footer-address"> </div> <div class="footer-social-bar"> <p class="footer-heading">Follow Us</p> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/energy"> <i class="fa-brands fa-facebook"></i> <span class="usa-sr-only">Link to Facebook</span> </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/energy"> <i class="fa-brands fa-instagram"></i> <span class="usa-sr-only">Link to Instagram</span> </a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s--department-of-energy"> <i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin"></i> <span class="usa-sr-only">Link to Linkedin</span> </a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/USdepartmentofenergy"> <i class="fa-brands fa-youtube"></i> <span class="usa-sr-only">Link to Youtube</span> </a> <a href="https://twitter.com/energy"> <i class="fa-brands fa-x-twitter"></i> <span class="usa-sr-only">Link to X</span> </a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/departmentofenergy/"> <i class="fa-brands fa-flickr"></i> <span class="usa-sr-only">Link to Flickr</span> </a> </div> <div class="footer-newsletter"> <p class="footer-heading">Subscribe To Our Newsletter</p> <form class="energy-paragraphs-subscribe-form" action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOE/subscribers/qualify" method="post" id="energy-paragraphs-subscribe-form" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="subscribe-inputs"><label for="newsletter-email" class="usa-label text-bold" for="input-type-text">Email</label> <input id="newsletter-email" title="Email address" type="email" name="email" value="" size="60" maxlength="254" class="usa-input required" required="required" aria-required="true"> <input type="hidden" name="topic_id" value="USDOE_C1"></div> <button type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Go" class="usa-button">Subscribe</button> </form> </div> <div class="footer-agency"> <nav class="usa-footer__nav" aria-label="Our Agency"> <ul class="menu menu--our-agency nav"> <li class="expanded dropdown first last"> <span class="expanded dropdown first last dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown">Quick Links <span class="caret"></span></span> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li class="first"> <a href="/our-leadership-offices" class="first" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847008">Leadership & Offices</a> </li> <li> <a href="/mission" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2713865">Mission</a> </li> <li> <a href="/contact-us" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/268177">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="last"> <a href="/work-us-department-energy" class="last" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847097">Careers</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="footer-resources"> <nav class="usa-footer__nav" aria-label="Our Resources"> <ul class="menu menu--our-resources nav"> <li class="expanded dropdown first last"> <span class="expanded dropdown first last dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown">Resources <span class="caret"></span></span> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li class="first"> <a href="/budget-performance" class="first" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/268189">Budget & Performance </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.directives.doe.gov/">Directives, Delegations, & Requirements </a> </li> <li> <a href="/management/freedom-information-act" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3049">Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/ig/office-inspector-general" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4847015">Inspector General </a> </li> <li class="last"> <a href="/cio/privacy-program" class="last" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2603217">Privacy Program</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="footer-policies"> <nav class="usa-footer__nav" aria-label="Federal Policies and Information"> <ul class="menu menu--federal-policies nav"> <li class="expanded dropdown first last"> <span class="expanded dropdown first last dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown">Federal Government <span class="caret"></span></span> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li class="first"> <a href="https://www.usa.gov/" class="first">USA.gov</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/">The White House </a> </li> <li class="last"> <a href="https://www.vote.gov" class="last">Vote.gov </a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__secondary-section"> <div class="usa-footer__secondary-content grid-container"> <nav class="usa-footer__nav" aria-label="Utility Links"> <ul class="menu menu--menu-footer-utility nav"> <li class="first"> <a href="/open-government" class="first" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/268195">Open Gov</a> </li> <li> <a href="/cio/accessibility-standard-statement" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/723576">Accessibility</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/web-policies/privacy" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/268159">Privacy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/cio/department-energy-information-quality-guidelines" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/289213">Information Quality</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web-policies" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/268153">Web Policies</a> </li> <li> <a href="/cio/articles/vulnerability-disclosure-policy" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4802628">Vulnerability Disclosure Program</a> </li> <li class="last"> <a href="/whistleblower-protection-and-nondisclosure-agreements" class="last" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/631441">Whistleblower Protection</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; window.dataLayer.push({"drupalLanguage":"en","drupalCountry":"","siteName":"Department of Energy","entityCreated":"1591699157","entityLangcode":"en","entityStatus":"1","entityUid":"638266","entityUuid":"6f3f3f9e-da6d-4641-b477-414e6915a307","entityVid":"1359242","entityName":"dean.pettersson@science.doe.gov","entityType":"node","entityBundle":"page","entityId":"4451492","entityTitle":"DOE Explains...Isotopes","userUid":0,"primaryOffice":{"id":"429979","label":"Office of Science"}});</script> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/4451492","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"dataLayer":{"defaultLang":"en","languages":{"en":{"id":"en","name":"English","direction":"ltr","weight":0},"es":{"id":"es","name":"Spanish","direction":"ltr","weight":1}}},"external_link_popup":{"whitelist":"","width":"85%","popups":[{"id":"default","name":"Default","status":true,"weight":10,"close":true,"title":"You Are Now Leaving This Site","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWould you like to leave this site?\u003C\/p\u003E\n","labelyes":"OK","labelno":"Cancel","domains":"*","target":"_self"}]},"google_analytics":{"account":"G-GS1KB7R8DY","trackOutbound":true,"trackMailto":true,"trackDownload":true,"trackDownloadExtensions":"7z|aac|arc|arj|asf|asx|avi|bin|csv|doc(x|m)?|dot(x|m)?|exe|flv|gif|gz|gzip|hqx|jar|jpe?g|js|mp(2|3|4|e?g)|mov(ie)?|msi|msp|pdf|phps|png|ppt(x|m)?|pot(x|m)?|pps(x|m)?|ppam|sld(x|m)?|thmx|qtm?|ra(m|r)?|sea|sit|tar|tgz|torrent|txt|wav|wma|wmv|wpd|xls(x|m|b)?|xlt(x|m)|xlam|xml|z|zip"},"data":{"extlink":{"extTarget":true,"extTargetNoOverride":false,"extNofollow":true,"extNoreferrer":true,"extFollowNoOverride":false,"extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":false,"extSubdomains":true,"extExclude":"\\.gov","extInclude":"isExternalResource","extCssExclude":"footer, .social-bar-utility, .media-type-image, .energy-social-links","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":true,"extAlertText":"This link will take you to an external web site. We are not responsible for their content.","mailtoClass":"0","mailtoLabel":"(link sends email)","extUseFontAwesome":false,"extIconPlacement":"append","extFaLinkClasses":"fa fa-external-link","extFaMailtoClasses":"fa fa-envelope-o","whitelistedDomains":[]}},"energyAnalytics":{"accounts":["UA-17192165-1"],"pageTitle":"DOE Explains...Isotopes","settings":[["_setAccount","UA-17192165-1"],["_trackPageview"],["_setDomainName",".energy.gov"]]},"searchSettings":{"enableTopicsAutocomplete":true,"searchHeaderMessage":"What are You Looking For?","facetsFooterMessage":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELooking for compliance docs?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022\u003EVisit our Compliance Document seach page\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","noResultsFoundMessage":"No matches were found using the filters you have selected."},"sitewideAlert":{"refreshInterval":150000,"automaticRefresh":true},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"5565d2ebdc93f256f7844b8851e616068dc842ced2e4d1f3f1c2e4f0b66a2345"}}</script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_F3U7puTZmT1LpKzOcMMAKoWae-9B1ptj1cqfc_62JPE.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=energy_gov&include=eJx9kMFuxDAIRH_ICpf-j8XarIPimAiIU_99Xe1G7aHqbRieNAMZHSsOUnjQip1FLVAjLSMmaU7N4T3Sp1duW3hOGy8y2Ql-6cV6-W-32Mp7sGFOOzzQKJx2ZYvfEp6KO12i251dpAOakc82r1zIeh5Yl7vGG8SGdTgngyJSKv0YfxD4EanPk6Irpo1buRkj1LQCHkeYz5DTY2ZL0kkHSKMkNRg7XZxnQCV14Mb-Bd9HfaI"></script> </body> </html>