Hi I've read everything and searched everything and I can't find the answer to this question so... How is iodine-131 and iodine-126 similar and how is it different? Thank you this is stressin me out!

Iodine-131 and iodine-126 are both isotopes of iodine, but they have different numbers of neutrons in their atomic nuclei, which makes them distinct from each other. To understand their similarities and differences, we need to look at their atomic structures.

Firstly, let's start with the similarities:

1. Chemical Symbol: Both iodine-131 and iodine-126 are denoted by the chemical symbol "I," which represents iodine.

2. Atomic Number: They share the same atomic number, which is 53. The atomic number represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, and in this case, both isotopes have 53 protons.

Now, let's move on to the differences:

1. Atomic Mass: The atomic mass of an isotope is the sum of the protons and neutrons in its nucleus. Iodine-131 has an atomic mass of 131 (53 protons + 78 neutrons), whereas iodine-126 has an atomic mass of 126 (53 protons + 73 neutrons).

2. Half-Life: The half-life of an isotope refers to the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms to decay. Iodine-131 has a relatively short half-life of about 8 days, while iodine-126 is not a naturally occurring isotope and therefore does not have a well-known half-life.

3. Radioactivity: Iodine-131 is a radioactive isotope, meaning it undergoes radioactive decay and emits radiation as it transforms into a more stable element. On the other hand, iodine-126 is not known to be naturally radioactive.

4. Uses: Iodine-131 is commonly used in medical applications, such as diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders and certain types of cancer. Iodine-126, as a non-radioactive isotope, does not have specific uses outside of scientific research.

In summary, iodine-131 and iodine-126 are similar in their chemical symbol and atomic number but differ in terms of atomic mass, half-life, radioactivity, and practical applications.