In heavy nuclei the number of neutrons is _ than protons
Correct answer: C. Greater
- A. Less
- B. Equal
- C. Greater
- D. None
Explanation
In heavy nuclei, as the atomic number (number of protons) increases, the repulsive forces between the protons also increase. To counter this, or simply to stabilize the nucleus, additional neutrons are needed to provide more nuclear binding energy. Therefore, the number of neutrons in stable heavy nuclei must be greater than the number of protons.
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Atomic nuclei contain protons and neutrons, with nuclear size, mass defect and binding energy describing their stability. The work covers alpha, beta and gamma decay, decay equations, half-life and decay rate, along with radiation safety and medical applications such as imaging, radiotherapy and tracers.
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