2007-11-20 08:34:55 · 3 answers · asked by RoRoStar 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
On the small end, it can't be any smaller than a proton.
At the upper end of the periodic table, coulomb repulsion between protons makes the nuclei unstable, and you end up with elements with extremely short half-lives.
2007-11-20 08:38:15 · answer #1 · answered by Charlie149 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Charlie's answer is correct. The behavior of protons and neutrons is not fully understood but is part of the field of atomic and subatomic particle physics. There are theories that suggest larger nucleii may be stable, there might be some special arrangement of protons and neutrons above atomic number 100 that would be stable for a long enough time that a useful new element could be found.
Related to this question is why is element Te (technicium) so rare?
good luck
2007-11-20 08:52:06 · answer #2 · answered by Gary H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His fathers genetics.
2007-11-20 08:38:16 · answer #3 · answered by Gilly137 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋