Neutrons help to keep the protons from repelling out of the nucleus
Neutrons also carry the Strong force
Light elements usually only need equal number of protons as neutrons
Light elements usually only need equal number of protons as neutrons
Ex: Carbon’s most common form has 6 protons and 6 neutrons
Heavier elements need more neutrons than protons to hold the nucleus together.
Ex: Lead’s most common form has 82 protons and 126 neutrons
For elements with MORE than 83 protons, they remain unstable no matter how many neutrons are added.
Check Your Understanding
What is the weakest force in the universe?
Gravity
What is the strongest force in the universe?
The strong force (or strong nuclear force)
If the strong nuclear force is so strong, why do we feel gravity more?
B/c gravity has a much longer range than the strong force. The strong force only extends as far as an atom’s nucleus.
BrainPop Radioactivity
Radioactive Decay
Atoms can be stable or unstable
If they are unstable, they try to change their number of protons, neutrons, or electrons to make themselves more stable
Radioactive: term applied to an atom with a nucleus that is unstable and that can spontaneously emit a particle and become the nucleus of another type of atom
Radioactive: term applied to an atom with a nucleus that is unstable and that can spontaneously emit a particle and become the nucleus of another type of atom
All elements with more than 83 protons will decay…so they are radioactive
