Why do heavier elements require more neutrons in order to maintain stability
Answers
Answer:
The stable isotopes of the heavier element have a great surplus of neutrons compared to the number of protons. ... The conventional explanation of the preponderance of neutrons in nuclei is that because protons repel each other through the electrostatic force they must be diluted by neutrons.
Explanation:
The nucleus exists because the residual strong force holds it together. Otherwise the electric repulsion between protons would force it apart. Adding neutrons increases the amount of binding energy available without increasing the electric repulsion.
The residual strong force, however, dissipates with distance much more rapidly than the electric repulsion. This occurs at the width of just a few nucleons. For larger atoms, protons on opposite sides of the nucleus exert a strong repulsion force that can overcome the short nuclear binding force. They are many nucleons apart, and their repulsive force is added to those of all of the intermediate protons. More neutrons are needed to increase the binding energy across the whole diameter of the much bigger nucleus.
More neutrons also serve to separate protons and reduce the strongest incidence of electric repulsion of adjacent protons.
So the answer has to do with the spherical properties of large nuclei and how that affects the balance of forces that hold a nucleus together. There are also weird quantum effects that are very important in how this works.