Neutronium, Ionization Limit, and Decay Types?

[GrokShock]

Hi guys,

I'm developing a video game that centers around the creation of atoms. I know that I'll have to suspend reality to some degree to make the game playable, but I also want to be careful not to spread horribly inaccurate misinformation with the game. Actually the idea is to make the game fun, but sneak a little education in there too. ;)

I've been studying up on atoms and subatomic particles the last few weeks, but still have some questions that I can only find partial answers to, or sometimes even get conflicting answers. I'm hoping I can pick a few brains around here to help clear things up a bit for me.

Here are a few questions that are nagging at me the most right now:

1. Can two or more neutrons bond via the strong force? I've gotten conflicting answers to this question. Some say they will bond, but one of the neutrons will beta decay into a proton. Others say they can not bond because of their spin. I'm not sure which answer to believe.

2. How ionized can an atom become? I assume it can be positively charged all the way to having zero electrons? How negatively charged can it become though? I would think there's a limit to how many electrons each proton could attract. Is there a mathematical expression for an electron to proton limit?

3. How do you know when alpha decay, positron emission beta decay, or electron capture beta decay will occur? Or maybe I should ask, is there a way to know which one of the these decays is more likely to occur than the other two? As I understand it, these types of decay all occur when there are more protons to neutrons in the nucleus. I imagine alpha decay would be more likely in heavier elements?

I'd greatly appreciate any possible enlightenment on these subjects.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[eljose79]

Dear Matthew,

it's great to see your interest in creating a video game that incorporates elements of atomic structure and subatomic particles. Education through entertainment is always a great idea!

To answer your questions:

1. Can two or more neutrons bond via the strong force?

The strong force is the strongest force in nature, responsible for holding the nucleus of an atom together. However, it only acts over very short distances and is only effective between particles called quarks, which make up protons and neutrons. Therefore, two neutrons cannot bond through the strong force, as they do not contain quarks.

However, two or more neutrons can interact through other forces, such as the weak force or gravity. In certain conditions, two neutrons can even form a bound state called a dineutron, but this is unstable and quickly decays into two separate neutrons.

2. How ionized can an atom become?

The ionization of an atom depends on the number of electrons it has. A neutral atom has an equal number of protons and electrons, but if it gains or loses electrons, it becomes an ion. An atom can become positively or negatively charged, depending on whether it loses or gains electrons.

There is no limit to how many electrons an atom can lose or gain, theoretically. However, the more electrons an atom loses or gains, the more unstable it becomes. This is because the attraction between protons and electrons becomes unbalanced, making the atom more likely to react with other atoms to regain stability.

3. How do you know when alpha decay, positron emission beta decay, or electron capture beta decay will occur?

These types of decay occur when there is an imbalance of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Alpha decay occurs when there are too many protons, beta decay occurs when there are too many neutrons, and electron capture occurs when there are too few neutrons. The specific type of decay that occurs depends on the specific nucleus and its composition.

In general, heavier elements are more likely to undergo alpha decay, as they have a higher number of protons and are more unstable. However, the likelihood of a specific type of decay also depends on the specific nucleus and its energy state.

I hope this helps to clear up some of your questions. Keep up the great work on your video game and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions!

Best of luck,