Predicting nuclear stability is important when determining whether or not a nucl

Question

Predicting nuclear stability is important when determining whether or not a nuclear reaction can take place spontaneously.
Use the following set of guidelines to predict the nuclear stability of the elements listed below.
1. Stable nuclei have a high neutron-to-proton ratio (greater than 1.25).
2. The majority of stable nuclei have even numbers of neutrons and protons.
3. Nuclei that have atomic numbers greater than 83 are unstable.

137 Cs
55

212 Po
84

30 Pb
15

118 Sn
50

Explanation / Answer

137 Cs -- ratio = 1.4 but not an even # of p & n UNSTABLE 55 212 Po -- ratio = 1.52 but atomic # > 83 UNSTABLE 84 30 Pb -- ratio = 1.00 UNSTABLE 15 118 Sn -- ratio 1.36, even # of p & n, atomic # < 83 STABLE 50

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