which nuclides would you expect to be stable?
a) 48K
b)79Br
c)Argon-32
Calculate the neutron:proton ratio.
For 48K it has 29N and 19P N/P = 1.5
79Br has 44N and 35P with N/P = 1.26
32Ar has 14N and 18 P with N/P = 0.77
Here is a graph of #neutrons vs #protons.
32Ar is far below the band of stability.
48K is above
79Br look relatively close; I think that is the stable one of the three listed.
Well, let's take a closer look at our contenders.
a) 48K: Hmm, potassium-48. Now, I'm not saying it's unstable, but it does have a reputation for being quite "cationic" around here. You know what they say, too much stability can really "K-ill" the party.
b) 79Br: Ah, bromine-79. Now this element is an attention-seeker, always "bromancing" with other atoms. While it may be prone to some shenanigans, it manages to achieve stability in certain isotopes.
c) Argon-32: Ah, old Argon-32. Laid-back, relaxed, and rarely causing any kind of "Ar-guments." This noble gas knows how to keep it cool and stable.
So, considering the choices, I would say c) Argon-32 is the most stable of the bunch. But remember, in the world of nuclides, stability can sometimes surprise us, just like a clown jumping out of a tiny car!
To determine which nuclides are stable, we need to consider a couple of factors.
First, we need to look at the ratio of protons (atomic number) to neutrons in the nucleus. Generally, stable nuclides tend to have a ratio of approximately 1:1 or close to it.
Secondly, we need to consider the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Stable nuclides tend to have a total number of protons and neutrons that fall within a certain range.
With that in mind, let's analyze the given nuclides:
a) 48K: Potassium (K) has an atomic number of 19 and is expected to have 39 neutrons for a stable nucleus. However, this nuclide has 48 protons and 29 neutrons, which deviates significantly from the stable range. Thus, 48K would not be expected to be stable.
b) 79Br: Bromine (Br) has an atomic number of 35 and is expected to have 44 neutrons for a stable nucleus. This nuclide has 79 protons and 44 neutrons, which is close to the stable range. Although it is slightly more proton heavy, it is still within an acceptable range and can be considered stable.
c) Argon-32: Argon (Ar) has an atomic number of 18 and is expected to have 14 neutrons for a stable nucleus. This nuclide has 18 protons and 14 neutrons, which falls within the stable range. Therefore, Argon-32 is expected to be stable.
In conclusion, the expected stable nuclides are 79Br and Argon-32.
To determine whether a nuclide is stable or not, we need to consider the stability of its nucleus. There are a few factors that can help us determine the stability of a nuclide, including the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
1. The number of protons and neutrons: Stable nuclides tend to have a balanced number of protons and neutrons. In general, nuclides with a low atomic number (fewer protons) tend to be more stable. As the atomic number increases, the ratio of neutrons to protons needed for stability also increases.
2. Nucleus stability: Nuclides with a magic number of protons or neutrons (2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, and 126) tend to be more stable. These magic numbers correspond to filled energy levels within the nucleus, which provide stability.
Let's apply these factors to the given nuclides:
a) 48K: Potassium-48 has 19 protons and 29 neutrons. The number of protons is relatively low, so it is more likely to be stable. However, it does not have a magic number of neutrons. So, we can't definitively say if it is stable or not.
b) 79Br: Bromine-79 has 35 protons and 44 neutrons. The number of protons is higher, but still relatively low. It does not have a magic number of neutrons either. So, similar to potassium-48, we can't definitively say if it is stable or not.
c) Argon-32: Argon-32 has 18 protons and 14 neutrons. The number of protons is low, and it has a magic number of neutrons (2). This combination suggests that Argon-32 is likely to be stable.
In summary, based on the factors we considered, we would expect Argon-32 to be the most stable among the three nuclides given. However, it's important to note that a more detailed analysis involving other factors (such as nuclear binding energy) would be necessary to determine stability with absolute certainty.