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If radioactivity is a function of imbalance between number of neutrons and number of protons in a nucleus why isn't lead radioactive?
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Why certain nuclei are stable and others are not is still not fully understood today! We know many of the rules, and we know which are stable and which are not, but it's not always well understood why some are stable and some aren't. There are even "magic" numbers of stability! See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_of_stability Just like many elements, there are several stable and non-radioactive isotopes of lead (mass number 204, 206, 207, 208), and then there are many that are radioactive (mass number 200, 201, 202, 203, 205, 210, 211, 212). See: http://www.webelements.com/webelements/scholar/elements/lead/nuclear.html
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
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What makes a nucleus radioactive?
If you are referring to a cell's nucleus than the simple answer is that's not radioactive. Radioactivity occurs when elemental atoms become unstable due to the loss or gain of additional neutrons; these unstable atoms are referred to as radioactive isotopes. If a cell's nucleus were radioactive it would not last very long, its structure and function would quickly degrade and collapse.
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.
What is the difference between radiation and radioactivity?
There is no difference in the meaning of the word. It is essentially the same thing. There are just two differenct forms of the word. You're still dealing with radium, Uranium, americium, and other radioactive elements either way.
The form of radioactivity that penetrates matter most easily is?
gamma radiationA2 perhaps neutrons.
What does it mean for an isotpe to be radioactive?
It means that particular combination of protons and neutrons is not stable.
What makes a nucleus radioactive?
If you are referring to a cell's nucleus than the simple answer is that's not radioactive. Radioactivity occurs when elemental atoms become unstable due to the loss or gain of additional neutrons; these unstable atoms are referred to as radioactive isotopes. If a cell's nucleus were radioactive it would not last very long, its structure and function would quickly degrade and collapse.
Is radioactivity man made?
No, most radioactivity is naturally occurring.
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.
What is radioactivity types of radioactivity?
Radioactive decay has nothing to do with chemistry and therefore may not be a chemical reaction. But since matter changes its properties (they are even irreversibly) it is considered to be reaction of one (elemental) reactant. Most decay reactions are kinetically of zero order.Different types of radioactive decay include decay by alpha emission (emits an alpha particle, 2 protons and 2 neutrons), Beta - emission, and Beta + emission (positron emission or electron capture).Some radioactive materials also output gamma rays, protons, neutrons, and can decay by fission.
What are the similarities between natural and artificial radioactive?
artificial radioactivity is carried in synthetically produced radioactive elements used in nuclear reactors and accelerators whereas natural radioactivity is a spontaneous process of disintegration of nucleolus of an atom. This process occurs in elements having atomic number greater than 83
What is the meaninq of two isotopes stable and unstable isotopes?
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Stable isotopes have a balanced number of protons and neutrons, meaning their nuclei do not decay over time. Unstable isotopes, also known as radioactive isotopes, have an imbalance of protons and neutrons, causing their nuclei to decay and emit radiation over time.
What happens if an atom is too ionized?
If your atom is too ionized, it will likely zip away from you and attach itself to a nearby atom or molecule. An atom becomes radioactive when its nucleus contains too many or too few neutrons. Try to keep the same number of neutrons and protons as you build your atom. If the imbalance is too great, radioactive decay will occur.
What the difference between radioactivity and half life?
An isotope of a chemical element is an atom that has the same number of protons (this also means this atom has the same atomic number) and electrons, but has a different numbers on neutrons. The isotope is radioactive if it has too many neutrons in the nucleus and because of this the isotope is unstable. The half-life of a radioactive isotope is a time period. When the isotope is at the end of the period it's weight will be the half of the starter weight.
What is a radioactive gas with 136 neutrons?
plutonium
What is the difference between radiation and radioactivity?
There is no difference in the meaning of the word. It is essentially the same thing. There are just two differenct forms of the word. You're still dealing with radium, Uranium, americium, and other radioactive elements either way.
Why does thorium undergo radioactive decay?
The ratio neutrons/protons in radioactive isotopes is the cause of their innstability.
The form of radioactivity that penetrates matter most easily is?
gamma radiationA2 perhaps neutrons.
