Moderate

The unstable atom means:

Correct answer: D. Any of these

  • A. Electrons are increasing
  • B. Protons are increasing
  • C. Neutrons are increasing
  • D. Any of these

Explanation

Multi electronic species are unstable, it prefers to lose electrons and form a stable octet or duplet; a "higher proton and neutron" number means a heavier nucleus which is naturally radioactive, i.e. naturally unstable. An unstable atom also has excess internal energy, with the result that the nucleus can undergo a spontaneous change (change in the number of protons and/or neutrons) towards a more stable form.

Last updated

About Nuclear Physics

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.

Practise Nuclear Physics

1,254 free Nuclear Physics MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Exams that ask Physics questions like this

Physics is on 13 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

Related questions