Definition
Plain language
A version of an element that weighs a bit more or less because of extra particles in its core.
As stated in the literature
Nuclide of the same element differing in neutron count; isotopic hydrogen (H/D/T) shows measurable kinetic and thermodynamic differences in metal absorption.
Also called: isotopic, isotopic hydrogen
Why it matters: Small mass differences between isotopes produce measurable effects, so they are often used to test whether a proposed mechanism is real.
For example, heavy water contains a form of hydrogen with one extra neutron, which makes it behave slightly differently from ordinary hydrogen.
Heard on the show
“" It asks about the difference in behavior between isotopic hydrogen at two kinds of interstitial sites.”Episode 240 — Frontier Models Designed Follow-Ups To Fraudulent Papers 93% Of The Time