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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.
What else can I help you with?
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.
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.
What characteristics indicates that an atom is unstable?
Some characteristics that indicate an atom is unstable include having too many or too few neutrons compared to protons in the nucleus, being in an energetically unfavorable state, and having an imbalance of forces that can lead to radioactive decay. Unstable atoms usually undergo radioactive decay to become more stable.
How is the stability of an isotope related to its ratio of neutrons to protons?
The stability of an isotope is related to its ratio of neutrons to protons because this ratio affects the balance of forces within the nucleus. Isotopes with too many or too few neutrons compared to protons may be unstable and undergo radioactive decay to achieve a more balanced ratio, leading to a more stable configuration.
What does chemically stable or unstable mean?
Chemically stable refers to a substance that does not easily undergo a chemical reaction, while chemically unstable means a substance is reactive and likely to undergo a chemical reaction. Stability is influenced by factors such as bond strength and molecular structure.
What can cause a nucleus to become unstable and decay?
Too many or too few neutrons.
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 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.
What characteristics indicates that an atom is unstable?
Some characteristics that indicate an atom is unstable include having too many or too few neutrons compared to protons in the nucleus, being in an energetically unfavorable state, and having an imbalance of forces that can lead to radioactive decay. Unstable atoms usually undergo radioactive decay to become more stable.
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.
Why do neutrons work better than protons in causing fission?
Contrary to how many (including my younger self) envision the process, fission is not a process of a nucleon blasting its way into a nucleus, scattering the latter like a fast moving marble smashing into a group of other marbles. Instead, it results when a nucleus is too large to be stable for more than a few micro-seconds. This happens when a nucleus absorbs one too many nucleons. Thus, the best way to create fission is to send a nucleon into the nucleus that will absorb that nucleon. It so happens that slow neutrons are BY FAR the most likely nucleons to absorbed by a nucleus, leading to a nucleus so unstable that it breaks apart. Protons and fast neutrons simply have so little chance of being absorbed, that they could never be used to create fission.
