Nuclides
Basic information:
A nuclide (called nuclear species) is a species of atom that characterized by the
following specific constitution of its nucleus:
1- Proton (atomic) number ( Z)
2- Neutrons number (N)
3- The energy of the nuclear state
Both proton and neutrons are called nucleons, and thus, nuclides
are composite particles of nucleons. The basic components of nucleons are
elementary particles called quarks. Therefore, nuclides can be
considered composite particles of quarks
Let A to be the number of nucleons in a nuclide, A is called also mass
number, i.e N = A – Z.
- The notation for a nuclide with mass number A and atomic number Z is
represented by a symbol of its element X, as
- According to A, Z, and the nuclear energy state of a nuclide, we can
characterized the following categories of nuclides:
1- Isotopes: nuclides of the same element (same Z) but different in A
Example: are isotopes of Carbon element.
2- Isobars : nuclides with the same A (equal in weight) but different in Z
(different elements)
Example: are isobars.
3- Isotones: Nuclides with the same N,
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