Ch.20 - Radioactivity and Nuclear Chemistry

Problem 37d

Chapter 20, Problem 37d

Determine whether or not each nuclide is likely to be stable. State your reasons. d. Te-124

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insert step 1> Determine the number of protons and neutrons in the nuclide. Tellurium (Te) has an atomic number of 52, which means it has 52 protons. The mass number of Te-124 is 124, so the number of neutrons is 124 - 52 = 72.

insert step 2> Check the neutron-to-proton (N/Z) ratio. For stability, lighter elements (Z < 20) typically have an N/Z ratio close to 1, while heavier elements have a ratio slightly greater than 1. Calculate the N/Z ratio for Te-124: N/Z = 72/52.

insert step 3> Compare the N/Z ratio to the expected range for stability. For elements with atomic numbers around 52, a stable N/Z ratio is typically between 1.2 and 1.5.

insert step 4> Consider the magic numbers. Magic numbers are specific numbers of nucleons (either protons or neutrons) that result in more stable configurations. Check if 52 (protons) or 72 (neutrons) is a magic number.

insert step 5> Evaluate the overall stability based on the N/Z ratio and magic numbers. If the N/Z ratio is within the stable range and/or if the nuclide has a magic number of protons or neutrons, it is more likely to be stable.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Nuclear Stability

Nuclear stability refers to the ability of a nucleus to remain intact without undergoing radioactive decay. Stable nuclides have a balanced ratio of protons to neutrons, which helps to minimize repulsive forces between protons and provides sufficient strong nuclear force to hold the nucleus together.

Isotopes and Nuclides

Isotopes are variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Each isotope is referred to as a nuclide, and the stability of a nuclide can vary significantly based on its neutron-to-proton ratio, influencing its likelihood of being stable or radioactive.

Magic Numbers

Magic numbers are specific numbers of protons or neutrons in a nucleus that result in enhanced stability. These numbers (2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, and 126) correspond to completely filled nuclear shells, leading to a lower probability of decay. Understanding these can help predict the stability of isotopes like Te-124.

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