nucleus articles
What is the spontaneous emission of radiation from an unstable atomic nucleus known as?
What particles constitute the nucleus and are collectively referred to as nucleons?
Which powerful, short-range attractive force binds protons and neutrons together against electrostatic repulsion?
What approximate ratio of neutrons to protons is typically required for stability in lighter atomic nuclei?
Why do heavier stable nuclei require a higher ratio of neutrons to protons?
What process defines the shedding of excess internal energy when an unstable nucleus seeks a lower energy state?
In the case of a neutron-rich nucleus, what conversion allows it to lower its neutron count and achieve stability?
What happens to a nucleus during pure gamma emission?
What characterizes the time parameter $T_{1/2}$ in radioactive samples?
What physical principle explains the substantial energy released when a nucleus transitions to a lower energy configuration?
What mechanism do very heavy, large nuclei typically use to reduce their size and mass?
What is the defining characteristic that makes radioactive decay unpredictable at the level of an individual atom?
What process is the very definition of a star's main sequence phase?
What state of balance is maintained by the outward pressure from core fusion?
For how long does a star generally reside on the main sequence during its existence?
What is the primary factor that determines a star's location on the main sequence?
What is the principal energy-generating process in stars similar to or smaller than the Sun?
Which fusion pathway dominates in stars significantly more massive than the Sun?
What elements are utilized as catalysts in the CNO cycle fusion process?
How does the main sequence lifetime of a star 10 times the Sun's mass compare to the Sun's lifetime?
Approximately how much hydrogen does the Sun convert into helium every second?
If a star's core fusion suddenly stopped, what would immediately occur?