Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

nuclide

noun

/ˈnjuːklaɪd/

Definition

A nuclide is a species of atom characterized by the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus.

Examples

Carbon-14 is a well-known nuclide used in radiocarbon dating.
The stability of a nuclide depends on the ratio of neutrons to protons.
Isotopes are examples of nuclides with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Meaning

Nuclides are often referred to in the context of nuclear physics and chemistry, where they describe the different forms of a particular chemical element that vary based on the number of neutrons.