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The diagram shows the stability curve for nuclear isotopes - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 1 - 2015 - Paper 1
Question 1
The diagram shows the stability curve for nuclear isotopes. Complete the sentence by putting a cross (✗) in the box next to your answer. An isotope above the cur... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The diagram shows the stability curve for nuclear isotopes - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 1 - 2015 - Paper 1
Step 1
An isotope above the curve will undergo β− decay because it has:
Answer
D too many neutrons.
In the stability curve for nuclear isotopes, isotopes that lie above the belt of stability generally have an excess of neutrons compared to protons. Such isotopes are prone to β− decay, where they convert a neutron into a proton while emitting a beta particle (an electron) to restore stability. This process increases the atomic number while leaving the mass number constant.