Table of Contents
Can a radioactive element be stable?
Typically, the most stable form of an element is the most common in nature. However, all elements have an unstable form. Unstable forms emit ionizing radiation and are radioactive. There are some elements with no stable form that are always radioactive, such as uranium.
What makes an element stable or radioactive?
An atom is stable if the forces among the particles that makeup the nucleus are balanced. An atom is unstable (radioactive) if these forces are unbalanced; if the nucleus has an excess of internal energy. Instability of an atom’s nucleus may result from an excess of either neutrons or protons.
Does radioactive decay make an element less stable?
Radiation is emitted from atoms when an unstable atom decays to become more stable. When an atom has extra neutrons or protons, it causes the element to become unstable.
Are stable superheavy elements possible?
The heaviest naturally stable element is uranium, but over the years physicists have used accelerators to synthesize larger, heavier elements. In 2006, physicists in the United States and Russia created element 118.
How do they attain stability?
It get stability by losing, gaining or sharing electron to complete noble gas electronic configuration. Elements attain stability by completing duplet or octet. Hope it helps you.
How do radioactive atoms undergo change to maintain stability?
Unstable atoms will attempt to become stable by changing into a new isotope or element, and energy is released in the form of ionizing radiation until the forces in the nucleus are balanced and stable. The series of changes that a given radioactive element undergoes is called a decay chain.
Can stable atoms decay?
Stable nuclides are nuclides that are not radioactive and so (unlike radionuclides) do not spontaneously undergo radioactive decay.
Why stability is necessary for an element existing?
Atoms will react to get in the most stable state possible. They have the most stable configuration (full octet, no charge), so they have no reason to react and change their configuration. All other elements attempt to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a noble gas configuration.