Chart of Nuclides
Channel: Dominik Hezel
Date: 2020-03-21

*check out all videos and much more on metbase.org in the 'Resources' section*

Each chemical element represents a collection of numerous radioactive and/or stable isotopes. An isotope consists of a nucleus (= core) of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. A nuclide designates the nucleus of a specific isotope. The number of protons (= atomic number, = Z) in a nucleus defines the chemical element. Isotopes of an element are defined by variable numbers of neutrons (= N) in their nucleus. The mass number (not mass!) is the sum of protons and neutrons (Z + N) in the nucleus. The various nuclides are displayed in the ›chart‹ or ›table of nuclides‹. In this chart, Z is on the y-axis and N on the x-axis. This means, the chemical elements change along the y-axis, and the isotopes along the x-axis. Isotopes with the same mass number plot along diagonal lines with a slope of -1. Stable isotopes fall into the ›valley of stability‹, in-between isotopes the decay towards this valley. The chart comes in various flavours, each containing various wealths of information regarding the various nuclide properties, such as stability, formation, radioactive decay, etc.