I've exhausted possibilities to find an isotope that has 42 protons and 44 neutrons; does one exist? Molybdenum has 42 protons ... but 54 neutrons so that isn't it. I'm hoping that Dr. Bob can figure this one out for me! You've been helpful with a prior question that I submitted and I'm grateful for your expertise.
Not hard to find see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotopes_of_molybdenum
or the table of isotopes in 'Handbook of chemistry and physics'
Mo-86 is a positron emitter with a half life of 19.6 s
To determine if there is an isotope with 42 protons and 44 neutrons, we can use periodic table information and a basic understanding of atomic structure.
First, let's clarify the terminology. Isotopes are variants of the same element, with the same number of protons but differing numbers of neutrons. So, what you are looking for is an isotope of an element with 42 protons and 44 neutrons.
With this information, we can search for an isotope by examining the periodic table and considering the element that could potentially have these properties.
Based on your description, Molybdenum (Mo) has 42 protons, which matches the required criteria. However, the number of neutrons you mentioned (54) indicates a different isotope, as the atomic number (proton number) for an element remains constant, while isotopes have differing neutron numbers.
It seems we need to search for an element other than Molybdenum that has 42 protons and 44 neutrons. To do this, we can consult a chart/graph of isotopes or use an online database. One such reliable source is the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC) maintained by the Brookhaven National Laboratory.
By searching for the element with 42 protons, we find that it is Molybdenum. However, based on the information you provided, it does not seem possible for there to be a stable isotope of Molybdenum with 42 protons and 44 neutrons.
It is important to note that unstable or radioactive isotopes with this combination might exist, but if you are specifically looking for a stable isotope, it seems unlikely given the current information.
If you are still curious about this particular isotope and want a more definitive answer, I suggest reaching out to a nuclear physicist or visiting a reliable scientific reference source for the most up-to-date information on isotopes.