Nuclear models and stability

• The aim of this chapter is to understand how

certain combinations of N neutrons and Z
protons form bound states and to understand
the masses, spins and parities of those states.
• Another aim of this chapter is to understand
why certain nuclei are stable against these
decays and what determines the dominant
decay modes of unstable nuclei.
The black squares are long-lived nuclei
present on Earth. Unbound combinations
of (N,Z) lie outside the lines marked “last
proton/neutron unbound.” Most other
nuclei β-decay or α-decay to long-lived
nuclei.