0
Inside the nucleus of an atom, there is a competition between two principle forces: strong nuclear forces which keep the nucleus together, and electrostatic forces between the protons which want to blow it apart. Different proton-neutron structures causes changes between these two forces which affects the stability of the atom.
The exact instant an atom decays is a quantum perturbation. Every time the atom vibrates, it has a chance of overcoming the activation energy barrier for decay.
An atom's nucleus can become unstable due to an imbalance between the number of protons and neutrons, leading to too much energy in the nucleus. This can be caused by radioactive decay, capturing additional particles, or undergoing fission or fusion reactions. The instability can result in the emission of radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays as the nucleus seeks a more balanced state.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
A free-moving neutron is absorbed by the nucleus of an atom. This can cause?
the atom to become unstable and rip apart
What effect do electrons from the magnetosphere have on atoms?
Electrons from the magnetosphere can cause atoms to become excited or ionized when they interact with them. This can lead to the emission of light, changes in chemical reactions, or damage to biological molecules. Additionally, these electrons can contribute to the creation of auroras when they collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
Some forces push two atoms apart while other forces pull them together Which two subatomic particles would cause atoms to be pushed apart and which particles would cause atoms to be pulled together?
Protons and electrons are the two subatomic particles that cause atoms to be pushed apart due to their like charges repelling each other. Neutrons do not have a charge and do not contribute to the electrostatic forces between atoms. The attraction between the positively charged protons in the nucleus and the negatively charged electrons around the nucleus causes atoms to be pulled together.
What do most atoms undergo combining in ways that cause their atoms to become more?
Atoms combine in chemical reactions to form new compounds, which can have different properties than the individual atoms. By bonding with other atoms, atoms can achieve a more stable electron configuration, often by filling their outer electron shell to reach a state of lower energy. The resulting compounds can have enhanced stability and reactivity compared to the individual atoms.
An unstable nucleus results from too many or too few?
An unstable nucleus results from too many or too few protons or neutrons, leading to an imbalance in the nuclear forces that hold the nucleus together. This imbalance can cause the nucleus to decay through processes such as beta decay, alpha decay, or fission in order to reach a more stable state.
What can cause a nucleus to become unstable and decay?
Too many or too few neutrons.
What does not cause air become unstable?
water
Why are neutrons used as nuclear bullets to cause nuclear disintegration of an unstable nucleus?
Neutrons are used as nuclear bullets to cause nuclear disintegration because they have no charge, allowing them to penetrate the positive charge of the atomic nucleus easily. When a neutron is absorbed by an unstable nucleus, it can make the nucleus become more unstable, leading to nuclear disintegration through processes like fission or neutron capture. This can result in the release of energy and the formation of new elements.
A free-moving neutron is absorbed by the nucleus of an atom. This can cause?
the atom to become unstable and rip apart
Did the atoms have a nucleus that always remains the same?
no they dont cause they just dont.
What is a radioactive atoms?
Radioactive atoms are atoms that have unstable nuclei, which can undergo radioactive decay to become more stable. During this process, they emit radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. This emission of radiation can cause a change in the atom's composition or energy level.
What aspects of the composition of a nucleus can cause it to be unstable?
Nuclei can be unstable due to having an imbalance of protons and neutrons, known as an unstable neutron-to-proton ratio. Additionally, nuclei with very high atomic numbers tend to be less stable. Other factors include the presence of excess energy or an unfavorable configuration of nucleons within the nucleus.
Which will NOT cause air to become unstable?
If the air is stable, it will not become unstable unless there is a significant change in the atmospheric conditions. Factors that might cause air to become unstable include temperature inversions, warm air rising over cooler air, or the presence of a lifting mechanism like a front or mountain range.
What happens after a freely moving neutron it is introduced to a nuclear fuel?
When a freely moving neutron is introduced to a nuclear fuel like uranium, it can be absorbed by the nucleus of the fuel atom, causing it to become unstable and split into two or more smaller atoms, releasing energy and more neutrons in the process. This is known as nuclear fission, and it can lead to a chain reaction if the released neutrons go on to collide with other fuel atoms and cause them to undergo fission as well.
Why fission cannot take place with fast neutron?
In order to cause an atomic nucleus to become unstable so that it will undergo fission, you have to add a neutron. If a slow neutron collides with an atomic nucleus, it will be absorbed into the nucleus and become part of it. The nuclear attraction of the nucleus is strong enough to grab a slow neutron. But a fast neutron cannot be captured because it has too much kinetic energy. The attraction of the nucleus is not enough to stop the motion of a fast neutron. Even if a fast neutron makes a direct hit on an atomic nucleus, it is just going to bounce off.
What force keeps the nucleus together?
The strong nuclear force is the force that keeps the nucleus of an atom together. This force is stronger than the electromagnetic force, which tends to repel positive protons from each other in the nucleus.
Why no triggering is used for astable multivibrator?
No triggering is used on an astable multivibrator because it can cause it to become unstable.
