How do atoms become stable if they are unstable?

Radiation is emitted from atoms when an unstable atom decays to become more stable. When an atom has extra neutrons or protons, it causes the element to become unstable. This activity helps students understand how emitting an alpha or beta particle changes the structure of an atom.

What happens to atoms when they are unstable?

In some atoms the binding energy is not strong enough to hold the nucleus together, and the nuclei of these atoms are said to be unstable. Unstable atoms will lose neutrons and protons as they attempt to become stable.

What does it mean if an atom is stable what makes it stable?

A stable atom is an atom that has enough binding energy to hold the nucleus together permanently. An unstable atom does not have enough binding energy to hold the nucleus together permanently and is called a radioactive atom.

When can an atom achieve stability?

Atoms are at their most stable when their outermost energy level is either empty of electrons or filled with electrons. Sodium atoms have 11 electrons. Two of these are in the lowest energy level, eight are in the second energy level and then one electron is in the third energy level.

Who explain the stability of atom?

Stability of an atom was successfully explained by Rutherford’s atomic model.

Why do stable atoms have less energy?

From chemical point of view, a molecule will be stable if there are more attractive forces and less repulsive forces. Repulsive forces increases the potential energy of the molecule. Hence molecules with lower energy are more stable.

Why ions are more stable than atoms?

If the outermost shell of an atom does not complete octet, it is unstable. So, atoms exist only in two forms either in the form of molecules or ions. Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons to achieve the electronic configuration of its nearest inert gas. So, ions are more stable than atoms.

What is a stable atom called?

A stable atom has a net charge of 0. In other words, it has an equal number of protons and electrons. The positive protons cancel out the negative electrons. When the number of electrons does not equal the number of protons, the atom is ionized. (The atom is then called an ion).

Why are atoms more stable in bonds?

Many atoms become stable when their valence shell is filled with electrons or when they satisfy the octet rule (by having eight valence electrons). An atom stabilizes by bonding with another atom in order to fill out its outer set of electrons in its shell.