Nuclide

Nuclide is an atomic species characterized by the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. Nuclides are represented by the symbol ZAXN, where Z is the atomic number, A is the mass number, X is the chemical symbol, and N is the neutron number.

Overview

A nuclide is characterized by the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. The atomic number Z determines the chemical properties of the atom, and the mass number A is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. The neutron number N is the difference between A and Z.

Nuclides are represented by the symbol ZAXN, where Z is the atomic number, A is the mass number, X is the chemical symbol, and N is the neutron number. For example, the nuclide of hydrogen with one proton and no neutrons is represented as 1H1.

Types of Nuclides

There are three types of nuclides: stable, unstable, and radioactive. Stable nuclides do not undergo radioactive decay and have an infinite half-life. Unstable nuclides are capable of undergoing spontaneous radioactive decay, and radioactive nuclides are those that are currently undergoing radioactive decay.

Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. This can result in a change in the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, leading to the formation of a different nuclide.

Applications

Nuclides have many applications in various fields such as medicine, industry, and research. For example, radioactive nuclides are used in nuclear medicine for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

See Also

• Isotope
• Radionuclide
• Nuclear physics
• Nuclear chemistry

References

Nuclide Resources
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