Stable and Unstable Nuclei

?

Forces within a nucleus

  • You need a repulsive force that pushes protons apart at long distance (electrostatic force) over 3fm
  • You need an attractive force that pulls nucleons together at a small distance (below 3fm)
  • You need a repusive force at very short distances to stop the nucleus from collapsing (strong force) below 0.5fm
  • 1fm = 1 femtometre (10^-15 m)
1 of 3

Recap of nuclear decay

  • Alpha Decay- When two protons and two neutrons are emitted as a single particle from the nucleus
  • Beta Decay- When an electron is emitted from the nucleus when a neutron turns into a proton

<- Alpha Decay

2 of 3

Recap of nuclear decay

(http://www.antonine-education.co.uk/Image_library/Physics_1/Particles/beta_plus.JPG)<- Beta Plus Decay

  • Gamma Decay- Excited nucleus after alpha or beta decay gives off electromagnetic radiation (y radiation)
3 of 3

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Physics resources:

See all Physics resources »See all Particle physics resources »