núclidos

A nuclide is a distinct type of atomic nucleus, characterized by its specific number of protons and neutrons. The number of protons, known as the atomic number, determines the element to which the nuclide belongs. The sum of protons and neutrons is called the mass number, and this distinguishes different nuclides of the same element, which are called isotopes. For example, carbon-12 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon, differing in their neutron count. The term nuclide is more general than isotope as it encompasses all combinations of protons and neutrons, regardless of their stability. Nuclides can be stable, meaning they do not undergo radioactive decay, or unstable, meaning they are radioactive and will eventually decay into other nuclides. The study of nuclides, their properties, and their behavior is fundamental to nuclear physics and chemistry, with applications ranging from nuclear energy and medicine to dating ancient artifacts. Each nuclide can be represented by the symbol of its element with its mass number as a superscript and its atomic number as a subscript, for instance, $^{12}_{6}C$ for carbon-12.