Light elements with Z

Question

Light elements with Z < 20 generally have neutron-to-proton ratios about equal to ________

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Light elements with Z < 20 generally have approximately equal numbers of neutrons and protons, resulting in a neutron-to-proton ratio of 1:1, or 1.0. This is because the attractive strong nuclear force that binds protons and neutrons together is stronger than the repulsive electromagnetic force between protons, allowing stable nuclei to form even when the number of protons is relatively high. As the atomic number increases, however, more neutrons are needed to counteract the increasing electrostatic repulsion between protons, leading to higher neutron-to-proton ratios in heavier elements.

Light Elements with Z < 20 Generally Have Neutron-To-Proton Ratios