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Nitrogen-9 Nucleus

21 Nov 2023 Nitrogen-9 Nucleus

Posted at 10:23h in Daily current-affairs by
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This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “ Nitrogen-9 Nucleus”. This topic has relevance in the Science and Technology section of the UPSC CSE exam.

 

GS 3: Science and Technology

 

Why in the news?

Researchers may have just spotted the elusive, ephemeral nucleus of nitrogen-9 for the first time.

 

Nitrogen-9 Nucleus Discovery

  • Researchers have unveiled clues about a novel isotope, nitrogen-9, through experiments conducted at the U.S. National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory.
  • The discovery involves the collision of oxygen isotopes with beryllium atoms.

Characteristics of Nitrogen-9 Nucleus:

  • Nitrogen-9 is identified by its composition of seven protons and two neutrons, indicating an exceptionally high proton-to-neutron ratio.
  • This unique ratio significantly influences the stability, decay processes, and overall behavior of the isotope.
  • The high proton content places nitrogen-9 atoms beyond conventional stability thresholds.
  • This is a departure from the more common nitrogen-14 isotope, characterized by seven protons and seven neutrons.

 

Understanding Isotopes

  • Isotopes are variations of atoms of the same element, differing only in the number of neutrons.
  • Isotopes with an inadequate number of neutrons for the given protons often exhibit instability.
  • Unstable isotopes have a transient existence and tend to decay by releasing energy to attain a more stable configuration.

 

Nuclides

  • Nuclides refer to a table or chart illustrating atomic nuclei with a unique combination of protons and neutrons.
  • A chart of nuclides is a two-dimensional graph depicting isotopes of elements.The graph’s axes denote the number of neutrons (N) and protons (Z) in each atomic nucleus.Each point on the graph represents a distinct nuclide.

Source:‘Strong evidence’ unusual nitrogen-9 nucleus exists, scientists say – The Hindu

 

Q.1 What is the defining characteristic that distinguishes isotopes within the same chemical element?

(a) Electron arrangement

(b) Proton count

(c) Neutron count

(d) Atomic mass

 

ANSWER: C

 

Q.2 What is the primary representation of nuclides in the context of atomic nuclei?

(a) Chemical formulas

(b) Electron configurations

(c) Two-dimensional graphs

(d) Molecular structures

 

ANSWER: C

 

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