Question

Which one of the following concepts explains why heavy nuclei do not follow the N = Z line (or trend) in the figure? A Transmutation B. Coulomb repulsion C. Particle-wave duality D. Pauli exclusion principle E. Heisenberg uncertainty principle

Answer 1

Answer:

Option B. Coulomb Repulsion

Explanation:

The reason for the heavy nucleus not being able to follow the trend or the N= Z line is because of the fact that as the atomic number, Z of an atom increases, the number of protons inside the atom also increases. Since the neutrons are charge less particles whereas the protons are positively charged particle and hence as these increases in number there is an increase in the repulsive force between the like charges, i.e., positively charged protons which is Coulomb repulsion.