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Chapter 21: Problem 8

What is the belt of stability?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Belt of Stability is a region on a graph where the number of neutrons is plotted against the number of protons in stable isotopes. It demonstrates which combinations of these particles will create a stable nucleus. In stable nuclei, ratios of neutrons to protons increase as the atomic number (number of protons in an atom's nucleus) increases

Step by step solution

01

Defining the Belt of Stability

The Belt of Stability is a term in nuclear physics. It refers to the area on a graph that plots the number of neutrons against the number of protons in stable isotopes (Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element which differ in neutron number).
02

Explaining how the Belt of Stability works

The 'belt' shows which combinations of neutrons and protons will make a stable nucleus. When observations or data of nuclei are plotted, a clear, narrow 'belt' or region of stable (non-radioactive) nuclei can be identified. For nuclei with a low atomic number, the ratio of neutrons to protons in stable nuclei is approximately 1:1. However, as the atomic number increases, stable nuclei usually have more neutrons than protons.
03

Identifying the importance of the Belt of Stability

Understanding the Belt of Stability is important because it helps scientists predict whether a certain isotope will be stable or radioactive. If a nucleus has too many or too few neutrons for the number of protons, it will be outside this belt and will therefore be radioactive.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Complete these nuclear equations and identify \(X\) in each case: (a) \({ }^{135}{ }_{53} \mathrm{I} \longrightarrow{ }_{54}^{135} \mathrm{Xe}+\mathrm{X}\) (b) \({ }_{19}^{40} \mathrm{~K} \longrightarrow{ }_{-1}^{0} \beta+\mathrm{X}\) (c) \({ }_{27}^{59} \mathrm{Co}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \longrightarrow{ }_{25}^{56} \mathrm{Mn}+\mathrm{X}\) (d) \({ }_{92}^{235} \mathrm{U}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \longrightarrow{ }_{40}^{99} \mathrm{Zr}+{ }_{52}^{135} \mathrm{Te}+2 \mathrm{X}\)

After the Chernobyl accident, people living close to the nuclear reactor site were urged to take large amounts of potassium iodide as a safety precaution. What is the chemical basis for this action?

The radius of a uranium- 235 nucleus is about \(7.0 \times\) \(10^{-3} \mathrm{pm} .\) Calculate the density of the nucleus in \(\mathrm{g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}\). (Assume the atomic mass is 235 amu.)

Why is strontium-90 a particularly dangerous isotope for humans?

In 1997 a scientist at a nuclear research center in Russia placed a thin shell of copper on a sphere of highly enriched uranium-235. Suddenly, there was a huge burst of radiation, which turned the air blue. Three days later, the scientist died of radiation damage. Explain what caused the accident. (Hint: Copper is an effective metal for reflecting neutrons.)
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