Chapter 24.1, Problem 24.2BFP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Reason for why Phosphorus-31 is stable whereas Phosphorus-30 is not has to be explained.

Concept Introduction:

Nuclear stability means that the nucleus is stable meaning that it does not spontaneously emit any kind of radioactivity.

Nuclear stability can be explained based on neutron to proton ratio (N/Z) in the nucleus.

For a stable atoms having low atomic number, n/p ratio is close to 1. When atomic number increases N/Z becomes greater than 1.

For a stable nucleus N/P ratio is one and which lies in the belt of stability of graph of number of protons to number neutrons.

When an isotope is above the belt of stability, N/P ratio is high and there exists a beta emission to decrease the stability.