Which of the following combinations of nucleons would be the most likely to result in a stable nucleus? ("Odd" and "even" refer to the numbers of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.)
A) even protons, even neutrons
B) odd protons, odd neutrons
C) even protons, odd neutrons
D) odd protons, even neutrons

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nuclei with even numbers of both protons and neutrons are generally more stable due to the pairing effect, where nucleons (protons and neutrons) tend to form pairs in a nucleus, leading to increased stability.

Which of the Following Combinations of Nucleons Would Be the Most