At the center of an atom, there is a nucleus that is made up of neutrons and protons.
A neutron has no net charge. It acts like a ‘glue’ that keeps the nucleus together. This force that holds a nucleus together is called attractive strong forces.
A proton has a net positive charge. A proton exerts repulsive Coulombic forces towards other protons since like charges repel.
An atom is considered stable when it does not spontaneously emit radiation. In other words, the attractive strong forces overcome the repulsive forces and is able to hold the nucleus together.
List two key factors that determine nuclear stability.
physical state of the element
ratio of neutrons to protons
number of nucleons in the nucleus
pressure of the nucleus
temperature of the nucleus
Frequently Asked Questions
What scientific concept do you need to know in order to solve this problem?
Our tutors have indicated that to solve this problem you will need to apply the Radioactive Decay concept. You can view video lessons to learn Radioactive Decay . Or if you need more Radioactive Decay practice, you can also practice Radioactive Decay practice problems.
What professor is this problem relevant for?
Based on our data, we think this problem is relevant for Professor Agarwal's class at Chaffey College.