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Beyond 20 protons why does the nucleus need more neutrons than protons to be stable?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Protons repel each other with the electromagnetic force. Neutrons' electromagnetic force is zero - so what keeps any atom with more than 1 proton from flying apart? There is another force at work here we call the strong force which holds everything together. More neutrons are eventually needed to keep proton-hating protons in a precise balance of forces and spaces.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoconsider this: neutrons exist in the atomic nucleus to "glue" together the positively charged protons (which would otherwise repel each other... think of trying to stick to positive sides of a magnet together). there must be a significant enough measure of neutron mass present to overcome that repulsion. the neutron is only about .2% more massive than a proton; this is obviously not considerable enough to overcome that repulsion. therefore, there has to be more neutrons in the atomic nucleus to provide the mass necessary to keep the protons from breaking apart.
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What makes nucleus stable?
The strong nuclear force must balance electrostatic forces in the nucleus
How many neutrons are in the nucleus of boron?
Boron has 2 isotopes and both are stable thus, depending on the isotope, an atom of Boron could have 5 or 6 neutrons in it nucleus. 10B has 5 neutrons (and 5 protons) 11B has 6 neutrons (and 5 protons) As about about 80% of all boron is 11B, most Boron atoms will be found to have 6 neutrons.
How many protons and neutrons does a silicon atom have and where are these two types of subatomic particles located?
Silicon has 14 protons and 14, 15 or 16 neutrons in the stable isotopes found in nature. These are located inside the nucleus.
Protons neutrons and electrons combine to form what?
Protons, neutrons, and electrons can form any type of atom on the Periodic Table of Elements.The amount of protons determine what type of element an atom is.If the number of neutrons differ from the stable amount it should have, the atom is known as an isotope.If the amount of electrons differ from the amount of protons, the atom is known as an ion.
How many subatomic particles does krypton have?
Protons 36 Neutrons 48 (for the most stable isotope, Kr-84) Electrons 36
Are the protons and neutrons attached to the nucleus of the manganese element?
Yes, 25 protons and 30 neutrons form the nucleus of Manganese's most stable isotope.
When atoms have the best balance of protons and neutrons the what is more stable?
When atoms have a balanced number of protons and neutrons, they are more likely to be stable. The nucleus of the atom is more stable when it has a balanced ratio of protons to neutrons, as this allows for a stronger nuclear force and reduces the likelihood of decay or instability.
How do the numbers of protons and neutrons compare in stable atoms?
The majority of stable atoms have slightly more neutrons than protons, but the numbers are similar. The biggest exception is hydrogen, which has a stable isotope having one proton and no neutrons. Many of the lighter elements have stable isotopes in which the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the same. But as the elements get heavier, we increasingly find that stable isotopes have more neutrons than protons. This is an understandable pattern. Protons, all of which have a positive charge, repel each other. It is the neutrons which act as a kind of nuclear glue, holding the nucleus together against the repulsive force that protons exert on each other. As the nucleus gets bigger, more neutrons are needed to hold it together.
What does neon's nucleus contain?
The nucleus of neon contains 10 protons and 10 neutrons for the most stable isotope of neon.
What would happened to a stable nucleus in which the number of neutrons suddenly decreased?
The nucleus would become unstable because you need a certain amount of neutrons, electrons, and protons for it to be stable.
What makes nucleus stable?
The strong nuclear force must balance electrostatic forces in the nucleus
Why some natural occurring element are stable and other are not?
This depends on the ratio protons/neutrons in the atomic nucleus.
What in a francium nucleus?
The most stable francium isotope (Fr-223) has 87 protons and 136 neutrons.
An equal number of protons and neutrons typically results in an atom that is?
Often, but not always, atoms with an equal number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus are stable and not radioactive.
What is the part of atom?
An atom is composed by a nucleus where protons and, in case, neutrons are joined by the so called strong force, and a number of electrons equal to the number of protons in the nucleus. Electrons are in equilibrium around the nucleus (in a stable state) due to electromagnetic attraction between their negative charges and the positively charged protons in the nucleus. In the nucleus, the strong force (that is the net result of inter-quarks forces that emerges out of protons and neutrons) is stronger with respect to electromagnetic repulsion between positively charged protons, so that the nucleus is in a stable state (protons do not repel each other) even if it is formed by all positive and neutral particles.
What is the middle of the Argon?
The centre of argon consists of the nucleus of argon with 18 protons. Also there will be 22 neutrons in the nucleus for the most stable isotope of argon.
What characterized a radioactive atom?
Its nucleus is unstable.
