Stable and unstable nuclei

Question 1

What particle has the largest specific charge?

Answer 1

Electron

Question 2

What is an electron’s specific charge?

Answer 2

1.76 x 10 ^11 C kg ^-1

Question 3

What is a proton’s specific charge?

Answer 3

9.6 x 10 ^7 C kg ^-1

Question 4

Are stable nuclei radioactive?

Answer 4

No

Question 5

Are unstable nuclei radioactive?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

What do unstable nuclei spontaneously undergo?

Answer 6

Radioactive decay

Question 7

What holds the nucleus together?

Answer 7

Strong nuclear force
(Binding force)

Question 8

What makes a nucleus more stable?

Answer 8

Greater binding energy

Question 9

How are electrons bound to an atom?

Answer 9

By an electrostatic force

Question 10

What is the first fundamental force in nature?

Answer 10

Strong nuclear force acts between nucleons

Question 11

What is the second fundamental force in nature?

Answer 11

Electromagnetic force acts between charged particles

Question 12

What is the third fundamental force in nature?

Question 13

What is the fourth fundamental force in nature?

Answer 13

Gravitational force acts between masses - it is very weak.
It only matters when you have big masses like stars and planets

Question 14

What is 1 fentometre equal to?

Answer 14

10 ^-15 m

Question 15

What is the equation for nuclear force (repulsive)?

Answer 15

5 x 10 ^-14 m

Question 16

What is the equation for nuclear force (attractive)?

Answer 16

3-4 x 10 ^-15 m

Question 17

Definition of radioactive decay

Answer 17

Unstable nuclei have too much energy so they emit radiation