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Neutrons. For lighter elements with two few neutrons, a likely decay route will be through electron capture and beta particle emission. Those with more neutrons decay by beta particle emission, which can be described as a neutron splitting into a proton/electron pair, where the surplus energy is imparted to the electron, ejecting it from the nucleus.
Heavier elements may decay by either of these or by alpha particle emission, which is essentially the ejection of a helium nucleus (two protons and two electrons). The heaviest elements may also undergo spontaneous fission, where the nucleus begins to vibrate and split. This typically also releases free neutrons, which can bombard neighboring heavy atomic nuclei, causing them to become unstable and to fission, resulting in what is known as a chain reaction.
See the attached link for a table of the isotope decay modes. In the table key are some neat animations.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoRadioactivity. That radiation may exist in the form of subatomic particles (primarily alpha and beta particles) or in the form of energy (primarily gamma rays).
Read more: http://www.scienceclarified.com/Qu-Ro/Radioactivity.html#ixzz0XZXzu7T4
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoUnstable
Wiki User
∙ 10y agounstable
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Why is a larger nucleus not as stable as a smaller nucleus?
A smaller nucleus is generally more stable. Below are some general rules: # (Except for really small nuclei) All stable nuclei contain a number of neutrons that is equal to or greater than the number of protons. # Nuclei with too few or too many neutrons is unstable. # If a nuclei has even numbers of nucleons, it's generally more stable. # Nuclei with "magic numbers" usually tend to be more stable.
Does too many neutrons determine if an isotope is unstable?
An isotope with too many neutrons can be unstable for example Hydrogen-3 is unstable while hydrogen-1 and 2 are stable. But so can one with too few neutrons, for example lead-204 is unstable while lead-206, 207, and 208 are stable.
What does chemically stable or unstable mean?
chemically stable: very few things will react with it chemically unstable: many things will react with it and it can react violently ur mr.notso awsome
How does an atom with too many neutrons relative to protons undergo radioactive decay?
In general, a nucleus with "too many" neutrons is unstable, and it will want to decay in some way. Same with a nucleus that has "too few" neutrons. These unstable nuclei are radioactive - they're radioisotopes. Atomic nuclei will, depending on the atomic number (the number of protons), want a fairly specific number of neutrons around. These "numbers" represent the stable isotopes of the element under inspection. But other combinations of nucleons (protons and/or neutrons that make up an atomic nucleus) are possible, and these represent the unstable isotopes of the element being considered. (Note that there are some elements that have no stable isotopes.) Some unstable isotopes of some elements occur in nature, and some will only be seen as a result of atomic tests, nuclear accidents or will appear in high energy physics experiments. In any case, we have a table of them, and it's called the table of radionuclides (or the table of nuclides).
How many teaspoons of sugar does not dissolves in 20 ml water?
Any number after the solution has reached the point of saturation. It may be possible to dissolve a few more teaspoons of sugar but the super-saturated solution so formed will be unstable.
What can cause a nucleus to become unstable and decay?
Too many or too few neutrons.
What triggers an unstable nucleus to decay?
When a nucleus is unstable it has either too many or too few neutrons in the nucleus. This is what causes nuclear decay as the nucleus needs to have the correct ratio of neutrons to protons to be stable. It may be triggered by an outside force, such as a colliding particle, or simply by chance.
What makes a nucleus unstabe?
A nucleus with too few nuetrons is unstable because there are not enough to keep the protons. There must be a certain amount of nuetrons for every element.
What makes a nucleus unstable?
The strong nuclear force doesn't balance the electrostatic force.
What characterized a radioactive atom?
Its nucleus is unstable.
What are the primary factor determining whether or not an atom is stable or unstable?
I, too, also had this questions. After SEVERAL minutes of surfing the world wide web, I found that it is the number of neutrons that determine whether a nucleus is stable or unstable. I hope this helps you! ;)
Why is a larger nucleus not as stable as a smaller nucleus?
A smaller nucleus is generally more stable. Below are some general rules: # (Except for really small nuclei) All stable nuclei contain a number of neutrons that is equal to or greater than the number of protons. # Nuclei with too few or too many neutrons is unstable. # If a nuclei has even numbers of nucleons, it's generally more stable. # Nuclei with "magic numbers" usually tend to be more stable.
Does radioactivity results from changes in the atom's nucleus?
The familiar alpha particle scattering by thin gold foil experiment has given evidence for the existence of hard nucleus at the central region of the atom. The relevent interpretation was given by Rutherford.
Radioactivity is a characteristic of elements with what atoms?
Radioactive elements are ones that have too many or two few protons and/or neutrons to achieve stability. For any normally stable isotope, adding or removing neutrons will make a different isotope, and can easily result in an unstable nucleus.
Does too many neutrons determine if an isotope is unstable?
An isotope with too many neutrons can be unstable for example Hydrogen-3 is unstable while hydrogen-1 and 2 are stable. But so can one with too few neutrons, for example lead-204 is unstable while lead-206, 207, and 208 are stable.
What does chemically stable or unstable mean?
chemically stable: very few things will react with it chemically unstable: many things will react with it and it can react violently ur mr.notso awsome
Do animals have animals have a nucleus?
Multicellular organisms do not have a nucleus; rather they have many nuclei. Most cells in an organism have a nucleus (with a few exceptions like red blood cells).
