Oxygen (o)
Isotope Interaction Lab
Understanding "Radio" Interactions
Oxygen-16 and Oxygen-17 may look similar chemically, but their response to electromagnetic waves is fundamentally different. Use this interactive laboratory to explore how NMR, Microwaves, and Radar interact with these isotopes differently.
Interaction Simulator
Select an isotope and a method to observe the physical response.
Live Render
Physics Engine Active
1. Select Target
Visualization Mode: Atomic Nucleus
Time Scale: Real-time simulation
3. Observation Log
System Ready
Select an isotope and method to begin analysis.
Signal Strength:
0%
Frequency Analysis
Calculate the Larmor Frequency ($\omega = \gamma B_0$) for NMR resonance. Adjust the magnetic field strength to see how O-17 compares to Hydrogen.
0.5 T
3.0 T
14.0 T
Common MRI strengths: 1.5T, 3.0T, 7.0T
Gyromagnetic Ratios ($\gamma$)
- Hydrogen ($^1H$) 42.58 MHz/T
- Oxygen-17 ($^{17}O$) -5.77 MHz/T
- Oxygen-16 ($^{16}O$) 0 MHz/T
Note: O-17 frequency is negative in calculation due to spin properties, but shown as absolute magnitude (MHz) for practical tuning.
The "Radio" Confusion
Clarifying the difference between active isotopes and radioactive isotopes.
Oxygen-16
STABLE- • 8 Protons, 8 Neutrons
- • Spin: 0 (Silent)
- • 99.76% Natural Abundance
No decay. Infinite half-life.
Oxygen-17
STABLE- • 8 Protons, 9 Neutrons
- • Spin: 5/2 (Magnetic)
- • 0.04% Natural Abundance
No decay. NMR Active.
Oxygen-19
RADIOACTIVE- • 8 Protons, 11 Neutrons
- • Highly Unstable
- • Half-life: ~26 seconds
Decay: Beta (electron emission) -> Fluorine-19
Comparative Risks
NMR
Low Energy Radio Waves
Safe / Non-Ionizing
Microwave
Heating via Rotation
Safe (Thermal Only)
Radioactive Decay
Gamma Rays / Particles
Dangerous / Ionizing