Question

Which one is more stable between Li^7 and Be^7? And why?

Answer 1

Question #84845

Atomic nuclei consist of protons and neutrons, in the nucleus there are two types of interaction - nuclear and electrostatic. Protons are repelled by electrostatic force, protons and neutrons are attracted by nuclear force. The $^{7}$Li nucleus contains 3 protons and 4 neutrons, so each proton can interact with several neutrons (4/3=1.33), and the force of nuclear interaction between protons and neutrons is stronger than the force of repulsion of protons. In the $^{7}$Be nucleus, there is less than one neutron per proton (3/4=0.75), and the repulsive force between the protons becomes greater because the nucleus contains more than $^{7}$Li neutrons, so the $^{7}$Li nucleus is more stable than the $^{7}$Be nucleus.

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