Making stable element unstable

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of making stable elements unstable or radioactive, exploring theoretical and practical aspects of nuclear stability and induced radioactivity. Participants examine the conditions under which stable nuclei can be influenced to decay and the mechanisms involved in such processes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that stable elements cannot be split due to their stability and questions the theoretical possibility of making them unstable.
  • Another participant suggests that by exciting nuclei to states above their decay threshold, it is possible to induce instability, citing that nuclei decay when it becomes energetically favorable.
  • A further contribution explains that promoting a nucleus to an excited state can lead to instability, using 6Li as an example where excitation results in alpha emission.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need to influence nuclei through energy input, such as electromagnetic radiation or incoming particles, which can lead to nuclear processes or permanent changes in the nucleus.
  • A later reply references the historical context of induced radioactivity, mentioning the Nobel Prize awarded to Irene Curie and F. Joliot for their work in this area, indicating that making elements radioactive is indeed possible in theory.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that it is theoretically possible to make stable elements unstable, but there are differing views on the methods and implications of doing so. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of how this can be achieved and the conditions required.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various mechanisms and examples, but there are limitations in the discussion regarding the detailed conditions under which stability can be altered and the potential consequences of such changes.

Brainiac
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A simple answer I got searching the web to as why we can't split atoms of non-radioactive elements is that they are stable.So,why can't we make stable elements unstable(radioactive)? Is this possible at least in theory?
 
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If we excite them to states above their decay threshold, sure. We do this all the time.

ETA: That was a bit terse. Sorry. The reason nuclei decay is because it is energetically favourable for them to do so - the product is more stable. Like atoms, nuclei have excited states, governed by quantum mechanics. If you promote the nucleus from the ground to excited states through a reaction, there will be a point after which it becomes unstable to decay.

An example is 6Li (chosen because I have the level scheme open, no particular reason). The ground state is stable, but if you promote it to the first excited state at 2.186 MeV, it is unstable to alpha emission, and will turn into 4He + d.
 
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To change anything, you have to influence the nuclei somehow. Give them energy in form of electromagnetic radiation or incoming particles is an effective method, but this either directly leads to a nuclear process (then it is not called a decay) or the nucleus gets changed permanently (then something else might decay later).
 
Brainiac said:
A simple answer I got searching the web to as why we can't split atoms of non-radioactive elements is that they are stable.So,why can't we make stable elements unstable(radioactive)? Is this possible at least in theory?

Not only is it possible in theory to make elements radioactive, the discovery of this process earned Irene Curie and F. Joliot a Nobel Prize in 1935:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induced_radioactivity

It also led to the creation of the first atomic reactors soon afterward.
 

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