Indefinite number of neutrons?

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    Indefinite Neutrons
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the limitations of neutron numbers in atomic nuclei, specifically questioning why isotopes with an indefinite number of neutrons, such as 50-O, are not stable. It is established that while the nuclear force is strong for neutron-neutron (n-n) connections, the stability of a nucleus is affected by the balance between protons and neutrons. The asymmetry term in the semi-empirical mass formula explains that an excess of neutrons leads to instability, as seen in the concept of the neutron drip line, which delineates the boundary of stable neutron configurations.

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  • Familiarity with the semi-empirical mass formula and its components.
  • Knowledge of stable nuclides and the neutron drip line.
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  • Research the semi-empirical mass formula and its asymmetry term in detail.
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bemigh
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I have a very basic question regarding the nucleus.

I understand why you can only have a limited number of protons within the nucleus - more and more protons within the nucleus will increase the coulomb potential and cause the nucleus to be unstable.

But why is this so for neutrons? Why couldn't I have an isotope of 50-O? The nuclear force is equally strong for n-n connections, as n-p, and p-p, so what's stopping the nucleus from having an a very large number of neutrons? When you look at a table of stable nuclides, it's pretty easy to see that most stable nuclides have equal #'s of protons and neutrons, but why is this needed? What am I missing?

Thanks
 
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Also check out neutron drip line.

And also, n-n can not be bound.
 

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