atomic spectrum and isotopes

[rogerxd45]

does the atomic spectrum emission or absorption by an ionized element change with different isotopes?

 

like would tritium have different atomic spectral lines then hydrogen1 or deuterium?

 

sorry just a random thought that popped into my head

Edited December 16, 2011 by rogerxd45

[John Cuthber]

Yes, but only very slightly.

[swansont]

It should make sense that they do — you change the shape of the nucleus with addition/subtraction of neutrons (which have a magnetic moment even though there is no charge) as well as the total spin, and you change the center of mass, so it should not be surprising that the fields the electron would experience undergo some subtle changes. There are terms known as the mass shift and the field shift that contribute to the isotope shift.

 

http://accessscience.com/content/Isotope-shift/357200

 

You can even get a shift in the same isotope if the nucleus has a metastable excited state (isomer)

[rogerxd45]

thank you both,

 

i was thinking it would be different even if is only a very small amount....i just love i when my random thoughts are correct