Isotopes of helium
Helium is a type of gas that is made up of teeny tiny things called atoms. Atoms are like the building blocks of everything in the world, and they are made up of even smaller things called protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Now, the special thing about an atom of helium is that it always has 2 protons and 2 neutrons in its center, or nucleus. But sometimes, instead of having just 2 neutrons, an atom of helium can have an extra neutron or even two extra neutrons! These are called isotopes of helium.
Think of it like having different types of cars. Some cars have 4 wheels, some have 3 wheels, and others might have 6 wheels. They are all still cars, but they just have a different number of wheels.
Now, why is this important? Well, scientists study different isotopes of helium to learn about things like the age of rocks and other materials, because they can use the differences in isotopes to figure out when those things were formed.
So, in summary, helium is a gas made up of atoms, and some of those atoms can have extra neutrons, which we call isotopes. Scientists study these isotopes to learn about things like the age of rocks.
Now, the special thing about an atom of helium is that it always has 2 protons and 2 neutrons in its center, or nucleus. But sometimes, instead of having just 2 neutrons, an atom of helium can have an extra neutron or even two extra neutrons! These are called isotopes of helium.
Think of it like having different types of cars. Some cars have 4 wheels, some have 3 wheels, and others might have 6 wheels. They are all still cars, but they just have a different number of wheels.
Now, why is this important? Well, scientists study different isotopes of helium to learn about things like the age of rocks and other materials, because they can use the differences in isotopes to figure out when those things were formed.
So, in summary, helium is a gas made up of atoms, and some of those atoms can have extra neutrons, which we call isotopes. Scientists study these isotopes to learn about things like the age of rocks.