Chapter 9, Problem 9.17P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Among the given isotopes of oxygen, identify the most stable isotope.

oxygen-14, oxygen-16, oxygen-18.

Concept Introduction:

The stability of isotopes is based on their half lives. Longer the time required to decompose to half of initial concentration higher the stability.

However, the half lives are not given here so we have to go with the rule of stability of isotopes as.

For the elements with atomic number less than 20, the isotope will be stable if.

$\frac{\text{n}}{\text{p}}=1$

Where,

n is number of neutrons.

p is number of protons.