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Inside the nucleus of an atom, there is a competition between two principle forces: strong nuclear forces which keep the nucleus together, and electrostatic forces between the protons which want to blow it apart. Different proton-neutron structures causes changes between these two forces which affects the stability of the atom.
The exact instant an atom decays is a quantum perturbation. Every time the atom vibrates, it has a chance of overcoming the activation energy barrier for decay.
What else can I help you with?
A free-moving neutron is absorbed by the nucleus of an atom. This can cause?
the atom to become unstable and rip apart
What effect do electrons from the magnetosphere have on atoms?
Electrons from the magnetosphere can cause atoms to become excited or ionized when they interact with them. This can lead to the emission of light, changes in chemical reactions, or damage to biological molecules. Additionally, these electrons can contribute to the creation of auroras when they collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
Some forces push two atoms apart while other forces pull them together Which two subatomic particles would cause atoms to be pushed apart and which particles would cause atoms to be pulled together?
Protons and electrons are the two subatomic particles that cause atoms to be pushed apart due to their like charges repelling each other. Neutrons do not have a charge and do not contribute to the electrostatic forces between atoms. The attraction between the positively charged protons in the nucleus and the negatively charged electrons around the nucleus causes atoms to be pulled together.
What do most atoms undergo combining in ways that cause their atoms to become more?
Atoms combine in chemical reactions to form new compounds, which can have different properties than the individual atoms. By bonding with other atoms, atoms can achieve a more stable electron configuration, often by filling their outer electron shell to reach a state of lower energy. The resulting compounds can have enhanced stability and reactivity compared to the individual atoms.
An unstable nucleus results from too many or too few?
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 can cause a nucleus to become unstable and decay?
Too many or too few neutrons.
What does not cause air become unstable?
water
Why are neutrons used as nuclear bullets to cause nuclear disintegration of an unstable nucleus?
Neutrons have no charge. As a result, they are not deflected by the positive charge of the nucleus or the negative charge of the electron cloud. They have the best chance of interacting with the nucleus and further destabilizing it, causing it to split.
A free-moving neutron is absorbed by the nucleus of an atom. This can cause?
the atom to become unstable and rip apart
Did the atoms have a nucleus that always remains the same?
no they dont cause they just dont.
What is a radioactive atoms?
Radioactive atoms are atoms that have unstable nuclei, which can undergo radioactive decay to become more stable. During this process, they emit radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. This emission of radiation can cause a change in the atom's composition or energy level.
What aspects of the composition of a nucleus can cause it to be unstable?
The two aspects that cause the nucleus of any element atom to be unstable are:not have the specific neutron/proton ratio to be a stable nucleus, and orhaving number of protons that exceeds the stability limit (exceeding 83).Referring to question below for more information.
Which will NOT cause air to become unstable?
If the air is stable, it will not become unstable unless there is a significant change in the atmospheric conditions. Factors that might cause air to become unstable include temperature inversions, warm air rising over cooler air, or the presence of a lifting mechanism like a front or mountain range.
What happens after a freely moving neutron it is introduced to a nuclear fuel?
When a freely moving neutron is introduced to a nuclear fuel like uranium, it can be absorbed by the nucleus of the fuel atom, causing it to become unstable and split into two or more smaller atoms, releasing energy and more neutrons in the process. This is known as nuclear fission, and it can lead to a chain reaction if the released neutrons go on to collide with other fuel atoms and cause them to undergo fission as well.
Why fission cannot take place with fast neutron?
In order to cause an atomic nucleus to become unstable so that it will undergo fission, you have to add a neutron. If a slow neutron collides with an atomic nucleus, it will be absorbed into the nucleus and become part of it. The nuclear attraction of the nucleus is strong enough to grab a slow neutron. But a fast neutron cannot be captured because it has too much kinetic energy. The attraction of the nucleus is not enough to stop the motion of a fast neutron. Even if a fast neutron makes a direct hit on an atomic nucleus, it is just going to bounce off.
Which condition would cause an ecosystem to become unstable?
Only heterotrophic organisms remain after a change in the environment
Why no triggering is used for astable multivibrator?
No triggering is used on an astable multivibrator because it can cause it to become unstable.
