- #1
scott_alexsk
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Does anyone know if there are descriptions of the neutron and proton configurations in atoms and why certain configurations are more stable than others.
For example the average atomic mass of oxygen and flourine are the whole numbers 16 and 19 while most other elements have more variation. Is it just that 8 neutrons with 8 protons is the only configuration for 8 protons that can exist? Or is it that any other configuration for oxygen is so minute and unstable that it has not been found? Why should other configurations for say Aluiminium with 13 protons have more variance in the neutron number?
Thanks,
-scott
For example the average atomic mass of oxygen and flourine are the whole numbers 16 and 19 while most other elements have more variation. Is it just that 8 neutrons with 8 protons is the only configuration for 8 protons that can exist? Or is it that any other configuration for oxygen is so minute and unstable that it has not been found? Why should other configurations for say Aluiminium with 13 protons have more variance in the neutron number?
Thanks,
-scott