- #1
Jimmy87
- 686
- 17
Hi pf,
We are currently learning about nuclear stability in class by looking at the nuclear stability graph when you plot the proton number against the neutron number. I understand that if an isotope is on the stability line then it is not radioactive. Therefore unstable nuclei have too many protons or too many neutrons causing it to sit off the line. In my textbook it says too many protons is unstable because it increases the electrostatic repulsion in the nucleus. It goes on to say that by undergoing beta decay it turns a proton into a neutron which reduces the electrostatic repulsion as extra neutrons decrease the electrostatic force. However, it gives no explanation of why too many neutrons causes an instability. If neutrons decrease the electrostatic repulsion then how is having slightly too many unstable?
Thanks
We are currently learning about nuclear stability in class by looking at the nuclear stability graph when you plot the proton number against the neutron number. I understand that if an isotope is on the stability line then it is not radioactive. Therefore unstable nuclei have too many protons or too many neutrons causing it to sit off the line. In my textbook it says too many protons is unstable because it increases the electrostatic repulsion in the nucleus. It goes on to say that by undergoing beta decay it turns a proton into a neutron which reduces the electrostatic repulsion as extra neutrons decrease the electrostatic force. However, it gives no explanation of why too many neutrons causes an instability. If neutrons decrease the electrostatic repulsion then how is having slightly too many unstable?
Thanks