What are the nuclides?

Nuclubs are atoms with a set number of protons and neutrons. Usually an isotope of the element may be stable or unstable. Unstable nuclides are radioactive. There are about 1700 well -known nucl those, of which 1,400 is radioactive. Isotopes are sets of the same element that have a different number of neutrons. Isotopes are nuclide, but naughters do not necessarily have to be isotopes.

The elements are defined by the number of protons they have. The periodic table of elements is arranged according to the number of protons in each element. Each element in the period table is nuclide, as well as all isotopes of each element. X means a symbol of the element, Z for the number of protons or atomic number A and is worth the weight number or number of protons plus neutrons in the element. This tells us that lithium contains three protons and four neutrons, because 7 minus 3 is 4. Lithium also has several isotopes, such as 6 Lithium-6 contains only three neutrons.

protons are naturally repelled because everyone has a positive charge, so the stabilization effect of neutrons is what keeps the element intact. If the nuclide is light, it is usually stable when the number of protons and neutrons is the same or almost the same. The heavier the element is, the greater the neutron ratio to the protons needed to be stable.

unstable nuclides are radioactive and either naturally occur or artificially. There are three types of radiation that emits unstable nuclide: alpha or beta particles or gamma rays. Alfa and beta particles are relatively harmless to them can easily prevent them from entering the body. However, gamma rays are extremely harmful and are the reason why radioactive elements are considered to be so dangerous. The schedule of unstable nuclide is called a radioactive decay.

Unstable nuclide eventually disintegrates into a stable nuclide. Each radioactive nuclide has a fixed disintegration speed, knownu like his half -life. Knowledge of half - the life of some elements and measuring conditions of stable versus unstable nuclides present in the object allows scientists to now fossils and artifacts.

Nuclear power plants also use nucl those calm to create energy -called cleavage. It occurs in the nuclear reactor and the cleavage breaks down heavier nuclips into lighter. This reaction releases energy that is used by the plant. Nuclear energy is often considered dangerous because the nuclide used in the process of cleavage, Uran-235, is a radioactive isotope.