THE STABILITY OF ISOTOPES
1 mark · NormalWhich situation is most likely to make a nucleus unstable?
Show answer
Correct option: Too few neutrons relative to protons
Common mistakes: Choosing 'balanced number' as the correct answer
Show mark scheme and worked solution
Marking points
A1 · 1 mark · Chooses 'Too few neutrons relative to protons' as the correct answer.
Worked solution
A nucleus becomes unstable if there are too few neutrons relative to the number of protons; the nuclear forces cannot balance the repulsive force between protons.