Do all atoms decay? I know "radioactive" atoms do
of course, but I don't really understand how some
atoms could decay, while others don't.
Question Date: 2001-05-11
Answer 1:
I believe that most atoms are pretty stable. The
ones that do decay (radioactive) usually have some
sort of imbalance between the number of protons
and neutrons in the nucleus and the energetics
inside the nucleus are such that it is relatively
easy for it to break apart.
