2.2 Stable and unstable nuclei

• Unstable nuclei do not undergo radioactive decay.

  False
• Neutrons are neutral particles that provide stability to the nucleus by counteracting the repelling forces between protons.
• The strong nuclear force is weaker than the electrostatic force.

  False
• Unstable nuclei have an imbalanced neutron-to-proton ratio, leading to a lower binding energy per nucleon.
• An imbalanced neutron-to-proton ratio leads to a lower binding energy per nucleon
• Unstable nuclei are less prone to radioactive decay than stable nuclei.

  False
• Unstable nuclei have a higher binding energy per nucleon than stable nuclei.

  False
• Unstable nuclei have a balanced ratio of protons and neutrons.

  False
• Unstable nuclei have a high binding energy per nucleon.

  False
• What are the constituents of a nucleus called?

  Protons and neutrons
• What role do protons play in nuclear composition?

  Determine the element
• What is the range of the strong nuclear force in meters?

  $10^{ - 15}$
• An imbalanced neutron-to-proton ratio leads to a higher binding energy per nucleon.

  False
• What causes the lower binding energy per nucleon in unstable nuclei?

  Imbalanced proton-neutron ratio
• What happens to the binding energy per nucleon in unstable nuclei due to an imbalanced neutron-to-proton ratio?

  It decreases
• Where do stable nuclei lie relative to the band of stability on a graph of neutron number versus proton number?

  Within the band
• Why do unstable nuclei undergo radioactive decay?

  To increase stability
• Nuclear composition refers to the number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus.

  True
• Match the nuclear particle with its property:

  Proton ↔️ Positively charged

  Neutron ↔️ Neutral charge
• Protons and neutrons are located in the nucleus of an atom.


  True
• What role do neutrons play in the nucleus?

  Stabilize the nucleus
• What is the typical range of the strong nuclear force in meters?

  $10^{ - 15}$
• What happens to the binding energy per nucleon in unstable nuclei?

  Lower
• For low atomic numbers, the band of stability is close to N = Z.


  True
• What type of particle is emitted in alpha decay?

  Alpha particle
• Unstable nuclei have a balanced ratio of protons and neutrons.

  False
• Unstable nuclei undergo radioactive decay due to an imbalanced proton-to-neutron ratio and lower binding energy per nucleon.
• Protons are positively charged particles with a mass of approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu).
• Match the property with the correct particle:

  Charge: Positive ↔️ Protons

  Mass: Approximately 1 amu ↔️ Neutrons
• Stable nuclei have a balanced neutron-to-proton ratio, resulting in a higher binding energy per nucleon.
• Unstable nuclei have a balanced neutron-to-proton ratio.

  False
• What type of neutron-to-proton ratio do stable nuclei have?

  Balanced
• What type of neutron-to-proton ratio do stable nuclei have?

  Balanced
• What is the binding energy per nucleon like in stable nuclei?

  High
• What is a key characteristic of stable nuclei?

  Balanced proton-neutron ratio
• Match the property with the type of nucleus:

  Balanced proton-neutron ratio ↔️ Stable nuclei

  Radioactive decay ↔️ Unstable nuclei
• Neutrons contribute to nuclear stability by counteracting proton repulsion
• The strong nuclear force operates over extremely short distances
• What is the relationship between the neutron-to-proton ratio and nuclear stability?

  Balanced ratio ensures stability
• What type of neutron-to-proton ratio do stable nuclei have?

  Balanced