Xe126

Xenon-126, denoted as Xe-126 or 126Xe, is a stable isotope of xenon. It is one of the naturally occurring isotopes of this noble gas. Xenon-126 has 54 protons and 72 neutrons in its nucleus.

Naturally occurring xenon is composed of several stable isotopes, with Xe-126 being one of the less abundant ones compared to isotopes like Xe-132 and Xe-124. Its abundance in natural xenon is approximately 0.09%.

Xe-126 has a very long half-life, making it effectively stable for practical purposes. Its stability is a characteristic shared by other isotopes of xenon, which are known for their inert chemical properties.

Due to its stability and low abundance, Xe-126 does not typically feature in common applications that utilize radioactive isotopes, such as medical imaging or industrial processes requiring radioactive sources. Its significance lies primarily in nuclear physics research and cosmological studies where the isotopic composition of noble gases is analyzed. For instance, studies of xenon isotopes can provide insights into nucleosynthesis processes in stars and the early history of the solar system.