Why extra neutrons make the nucleus unstable?

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SUMMARY

Extra neutrons in a nucleus lead to instability due to the Pauli exclusion principle and the resulting energy state configurations. While neutrons contribute to the strong nuclear force that binds protons together, an excess of neutrons forces them into higher energy states, which can result in beta decay or neutron emission. The optimal neutron-to-proton (N/P) ratio for stability is approximately 1:1, as deviations from this ratio increase the likelihood of nuclear instability and potential fission.

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  • Understanding of the strong nuclear force and its role in atomic structure
  • Knowledge of the Pauli exclusion principle and its implications for fermions
  • Familiarity with beta decay processes and neutron emission
  • Basic concepts of nuclear fission and stability criteria
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  • Research the implications of the Pauli exclusion principle on nuclear stability
  • Study the mechanisms of beta decay and neutron emission in unstable nuclei
  • Explore the relationship between neutron-to-proton ratios and nuclear stability
  • Investigate the processes and conditions leading to nuclear fission
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Students of nuclear physics, researchers in atomic science, and anyone interested in the stability of atomic nuclei and the behavior of neutrons and protons within them.

skepticwulf
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I understand that having neutrons in nuclei creates additional strong nuclear force which brings protons together, overcoming EM force thus forming different atoms but why extra neutrons bring instability? Wouldn't more strong force mean extra "glue" to hold nuclei together? yet it seems N/P ratio is best at 1/1, why??
 
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There are several ways large numbers of neutrons lead to instabilities - i.e. the extra neutrons could cause the shape of the nucleus into an unstable configuration so small disturbances make it, basically, shake itself to bits.

You realize that neutrons are, themselves, unstable? So think about why they are apparently stable while inside a nucleus.
 
Thank you.
I understand by your reply as well as by similar discussions.
 
The Pauli exclusion principle is relevant here. Neutrons are fermions - no two neutrons can occupy the same state. If you add more and more neutrons, they have to use states with increasing energy - at some point this makes the nucleus instable against beta decay (a neutron converts to a proton and emits electron+neutrino) or even direct emission of a neutron. Fission of the whole nucleus can get possible as well.
 
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