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There are two main types of isotopes: stable and unstable (radioactive).

The common examples are the isotopes of hydrogen and carbon. If we talk about the element Hydrogen, it has three stable isotopes namely protium, deuterium, and tritium. These isotopes have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons wherein protium has zero, deuterium has one and tritium has two.

Isotopes can either form spontaneously (naturally) through radioactive decay of a nucleus (i.e., emission of energy in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, neutrons, and photons) or artificially by bombarding a stable nucleus with charged particles via accelerators or neutrons in a nuclear reactor.

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons but the same number of protons and electrons. The difference in the number of neutrons between the various isotopes of an element means that the various isotopes have different masses.

Medical Applications IsotopeUse32Pcancer detection and treatment, especially in eyes and skin59Feanemia diagnosis60Cogamma ray irradiation of tumors99mTc*brain, thyroid, liver, bone marrow, lung, heart, and intestinal scanning; blood volume determination4 more rows

An isotope of Uranium (i.e. Uranium-235) is used as a fuel in a nuclear reactor. An isotope of cobalt (i.e. cobalt-60) is used in the treatment of cancer. An isotope of iodine (i.e. iodine-131) is used in the treatment of goiter.

All elements have isotopes. There are two main types of isotopes: stable and unstable (radioactive). There are 254 known stable isotopes. All artificial (lab-made) isotopes are unstable and therefore radioactive; scientists call them radioisotopes.