Why is c-12 not radioactive?

Answer 1

Carbon-12 is considered a 'stable' isotope due to its lack of radiation. This lack of radiation is caused by a 'balanced' or 'stable' quantum state at the nucleus, i.e. a number of protons and neutrons that forms a quantum state that does not break down easily.

Radioactive carbon, (carbon 13 or carbon 14) breaks down due to quantum instability within the nucleus itself, at an approximately predictable rate. Carbon 13, and carbon 14, contain extra neutrons, which makes them heavier, and less stable.

The energy within the atom that holds the strongly positively charged nucleus together is called the 'strong nuclear force'. This force prevents the nucleus from flying apart. It appears that neutrons may have something to do with regulating the interaction between protons, as in smaller nuclei, the protons are nearly equally paired with neutrons. In heavier nuclei, however, they tend to be set with more neutrons than protons.

Addition of more neutrons, or removal of neutrons, from a stable isotope creates a boundary energy effect. This energy effect has a critical energy threshold, which can be activated by the impact of further neutrons, or other energy sources. The strong nuclear force continues to exert the energy against the nucleus, but becomes more unstable, resulting in the fissioning of neutrons, or the disassociation of neutrons into positive and negative charges,. A series of reactions then take place, as the energy reacts toward the lowest energy potential state.

In the case of heavier elements, the isotope often breaks down into isotopes of lighter materials (Uranium 236, for instance, into rubidium and cesium isotopes).

In a stable isotope, however, the energy threshold for the quantum breakdown is so high, that it rarely is crossed in normal situations, so the nuclei remain unchanged.

This is why in atomic reactions on heavier metals, neutron bombardment is used to facilitate reaction. Neutrons easily pass the energy states of the electron field, and can impact the nucleus without being deflected or captured by the net positive charge.

Back to carbon 12: Carbon 12 has a substantially stable energy state, with a correspondingly high threshold for quantum breakdown within the nucleus, and thus does not tend to fission under normal circumstances or emit radiation.

Answer 2

Carbon-12 is not radioactive because it has a stable nucleus with a balanced combination of protons and neutrons. The nucleus of carbon-12 is not prone to spontaneous decay and does not release radiation. This makes carbon-12 a stable and non-radioactive isotope.

Answer 3

Because 6 protons with 6 neutrons IS stable.

Answer 4

because it has the same number of nuetrons and protons.

by: heather briana angrisanio

from:MCA

Answer 5

istopes are the same element with diffent numbers of neutrons

Answer 6

Carbon-14 is an isotope.