Reference no: EM132439070

Problem: Examine the isotopes.

hydrogen-3 (³H)

carbon-14 (¹⁴C)

oxygen-16 (¹⁶O)

Which one or more of these isotopes would be more likely to undergo nuclear decay, and why?

Hint: Hydrogen's atomic number = 1; carbon's atomic number = 6; oxygen's atomic number = 8

• Oxygen-16 would be more likely to decay, because it has the largest atomic mass.
• Oxygen-16 would be more likely to decay, because its neutrons and protons are equal.
• Carbon-14 and oxygen-16 would be more likely to decay, because their atomic numbers are higher.
• Carbon-14 and hydrogen-3 would be more likely to decay, because their neutrons and protons are not equal.