9
AssignmentMultiple Select

Unit Test

Question 9 • CR SS Chemistry S2 2018/19 2026

Which would result in radioactive decay? Check all that apply.

Answer
A
a neutron-to-proton ratio of 1:1 in a small nucleus
B
a neutron-to-proton ratio of 1:2 in a large nucleus
C
a nucleus that contains 90 protons and 100 neutrons
D
a nucleus that contains 8 protons and 8 neutrons
E
any isotope of the element uranium, which has atomic number 92
F
any isotope of the element potassium, which has atomic number 19

Explanation

Large nuclei need more neutrons than protons to help hold them together, so a neutron-to-proton ratio of 1:2 is unstable. A nucleus with 90 protons and 100 neutrons also has too few neutrons for such a large nucleus and will decay. Every uranium isotope is radioactive. By contrast, a small 1:1 nucleus and oxygen-16 (8 protons and 8 neutrons) can be stable, and potassium has stable isotopes, so not every potassium isotope decays.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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