When comparing the neutron to proton ratio for heavier and lighter elements, does the ratio value increase...?

Question

increase, decrease, or stay the same as the atomic number increases? I'm stuck here. Please give an explanation of why.

Answer 1

The value will increase for heavier elements.

Elements beyond the first twenty will prefer more neutrons than protons. Consequently, the ratio will be a number that is greater than one.

As the number of protons grow the nucleus will need more neutrons to keep the structure stable.

Answer 2

The ratio n/p increases as the atomic number increases. We need more neutrons to stabilize the nucleus