Beryllium-8

[Airmid]

Could someone please explain to me why Be-8 is unstable?

I tried to find the answer on the web, but all I could find were references to how unstable it is, and what the consequence of that are.

 

Thanks,

Airmid.

[swansont]

Because He-4 is very tightly bound (filled shell of both neutrons and protons, and only two protons), so splitting into a pair of alphas is a lower energy state.

[Airmid]

Thanks, I think the word "shell" in your reply opened Pandora's box for me. This is what you're talking about, isn't it?

 

Airmid.

[swansont]

Yes, it is.

 

Science is often that way. Answering one question often brings about others.