Why must heavy stable nucleus contain mo...

Why must heavy stable nucleus contain more neutrons than protons ?

Text Solution

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Coulomb forces between protons are repulsive and nuclear forces are ordinarily attractive. for nuclei to be stable nuclear forces must dominate the repulsive force. Therefore, number of neutrons must be greater than the number of protons.

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Heavy stable nucleus have more neutrons than protons. This is because of the fact that

neutrons are heavier than protons

electrostatic force between protons are repulsive.

neutrons decay into protons through beta decay.

nuclear forces between neutrons are weaker than that between protons.

Heavy stable nuclei have more neutrons than protons. This is because of the fact that

neutrons are heavier than protons

electrostatic forces between protons are repulsive

neutrons decay into protons through beta decay

nuclear forces between neutrons are weaker than that between protons

Assertion : Generally heavy nuclei are unstable. Reason : It has more neutrons and protons.

If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.

If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.

If assertion is true but reason is false.

If both assertion and reason are false.