Asked by qp
In which isotope is the strong nuclear force not strong enough to balance electrostatic forces between protons?
carbon-13
hydrogen-2
neon-21
uranium-238
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
Uranium-238.
Explanation: As proton number (Z) grows, electrostatic repulsion between protons increases and eventually overcomes the short-range strong nuclear force that binds nucleons. Carbon-13, hydrogen-2 (deuterium), and neon-21 are stable; uranium-238 is heavy and radioactive because the strong force cannot fully counter the Coulomb repulsion in such a large nucleus.
Explanation: As proton number (Z) grows, electrostatic repulsion between protons increases and eventually overcomes the short-range strong nuclear force that binds nucleons. Carbon-13, hydrogen-2 (deuterium), and neon-21 are stable; uranium-238 is heavy and radioactive because the strong force cannot fully counter the Coulomb repulsion in such a large nucleus.
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