Chapter 2: Q154CP (page 88)
Nuclei differ in their stability, and some are so unstable that they undergo radioactive decay. The ratio of the number of neutrons to the number of protons (N/Z) in a nucleus correlates with its stability. Calculate the N/Z ratio for (a) 144Sm; (b) 56Fe; (c) 20Ne; (d) 107Ag. (e) The radioactive isotope 238U decays in a series of nuclear reactions that includes another uranium isotope, 234U, and three lead isotopes, 214Pb, 210Pb, and 206Pb. How many neutrons, protons, and electrons are in each of these five isotopes?
Short Answer
- The N/Z ratio of 144Sm is 1.32
- The N/Z ratio of 56Fe is 1.15
- The N/Z ratio of 20Ne is 1
- The N/Z ratio of 107Ag 1.28
- Each of the neutrons protons and electrons can be found.