Question

Which nuclide is most likely to be radioactive and synthetic?

a) 12C
b) 24Mg
c) 233Np
d) 195Pt
e) 78Kr
f) 230Po
g) 84Rb

Answer 1

Neptunium-233 (233Np) is the nuclide most likely to be radioactive and synthetic because its atomic number is beyond the stability threshold of 83, making it unstable and radioactive.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nuclide most likely to be radioactive and synthetic among the options provided is c) 233Np (neptunium-233). Neptunium is an element with atomic number 93, which is beyond the atomic number 83 - the point beyond which all nuclides are considered to be unstable and thus radioactive. This nuclide is not found in nature and is created artificially; hence it is synthetic. Another synthetic and radioactive nuclide from the list provided would be f) 230Po (polonium-230), but 233Np is more within the context given that all elements with atomic numbers greater than 83 are unstable and typically radioactive.