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Do different isotopes of the same element bond differently?

Asked by PhiNotPi (12681points) September 2nd, 2012

If there are two samples of carbon, one of carbon-12 and one of carbon-14. Do the two isotopes behave differently in chemical reactions at all? Since chemical reactions are based primarily on electrons and electron shells, I don’t imagine that there would be a huge difference, but that is not the same as no difference.

Since I’m not quite sure what could be different about the isotope’s reactivity, interpret my question broadly. “Different” could mean forming certain compounds easier, or maybe a slightly decreased reaction rate in certain cases (even if the decrease is less than 1%).

Since the two isotopes have different masses, do the atoms have different sizes? If they do, then it most likely has an effect in chemical reactions.

This question isn’t solely about carbon specifically. It is about isotopes in general.

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