Nuclear isomers (such as Uranium-X and Uranium-Z) represent atoms with the exact same atomic number () and exact same mass number (). What causes their radioactive properties (like half-life) to diffe

Question

Nuclear isomers (such as Uranium-X and Uranium-Z) represent atoms with the exact same atomic number ($Z$) and exact same mass number ($A$). What causes their radioactive properties (like half-life) to differ?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Nuclear isomers are identical in nucleon count but differ in their nuclear energy levels. One exists in the ground state, while the other is in a higher-energy excited (metastable) state, leading to different half-lives.

💡 Solution & Explanation

Practice 22,000+ questions like this