Question

Some atoms become unstable because

1) electrons and protons are off-balance

2) neutrons and protons are off-balance

3) neutrons and electrons are off-balance

4)
neutrons become attracted to other elements

Answer 1

@Ryaan

Answer 2

@Frostbite

Answer 3

well I guess you can just look that up lol

Properties of the principle particles that make up atoms
Protons -> have a positive charge have an atomic mass of 1
Neutrons -> have no charge (they are netural) have an atomic mass of 1 stick closely to protons by the strong force
Electrons -> have a negative charge and have a very very very tiny mass and orbit the protons

The key particles of atoms are protons, infact they dictate the atoms identity and properties. If you look at the position of an atom on the periodic table that number matches its number of protons. For example:
Hydrogen is 1 on the periodic table because it has one proton, helium is 2 on the perodic table because it has two protons... etc.

Neutrons have no charge and just add mass to atoms, their precence and absence dictate the amount of isotopes of a particular atom. For example, hydrogen has a an atomic mass of 1, an isotope of hydrogen, deterium has an atomic mass of 2 (1 neutron + 1 proton).

Electrons are what stabalize protons, one electron can stabalize one proton (of course its not that simple but yeah just as a general rule).

An Aside:
When you look at molecular mass you are just looking at the weight of the number of protons and neutrons of that atom (remember there are isotopes and the atomic mass number is a decimal because it takes into account the average of the prevalence of these isotopes in our world).

Answer 4

A atom becomes unstable when there is an unequal amount of protons and neutrons (if there is more neutrons than protons, or vice-versa).

Answer 5

I hope this explanation will help you with your question you should be able to guess the answer from this

Answer 6

that isnt always true ryaan but basically that is the answer

Answer 7

just look at some armomatic compounds :D

Answer 8

@Australopithecus has explained well..Now read carefully you'll get then..

Answer 9

Aromatic ugh my spelling sucks

Answer 10

http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/radiation.html @will neko

Answer 11

I was thinking this person was asking about radioactivity but wasnt 100%. Nice link Ryaan