Multiple choice

Which of the following is the most stable element?

  1. Uranium

  2. Hydrogen

  3. Oxygen

  4. Lead

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Lead (Pb-208) is the most stable element because it has the highest binding energy per nucleon among all elements, and its particular isotope is doubly magic (82 protons, 126 neutrons). Uranium is radioactive and decays, hydrogen is reactive and forms compounds, and oxygen is highly reactive. Lead is the endpoint of many radioactive decay chains.

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