The primary difference between oxygen-16 and oxygen-17 lies in their atomic structure, specifically in their number of neutrons.
Oxygen-16 (O-16) is the most abundant isotope of oxygen, containing 8 protons and 8 neutrons, which gives it an atomic mass of 16. On the other hand, oxygen-17 (O-17) is a stable isotope that has 8 protons and 9 neutrons, resulting in an atomic mass of 17.
This difference in neutron count affects certain properties, including their behavior in nuclear reactions and their presence in different natural processes. Oxygen-16 is primarily involved in processes like photosynthesis and respiration, while oxygen-17 is less common but plays a role in certain geological and atmospheric phenomena.
In summary, the key difference is the number of neutrons: oxygen-16 has 8, while oxygen-17 has 9. This slight variation contributes to their unique characteristics and occurrences in nature.