Head to to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FLOATHEADPHYSICS Too many neutrons make a nucleus unstable. But why? And how does this make Iron-56 one of the most stable elements in the universe. And how this element is actually responsible for life? Let's find out answers to all these. Chapters: 00:00 Why is iron responsible for life? 02:31 Why do too many neutrons make nuclei unstable? 04:02 Energy levels & Pauli's exclusion principle 05:57 What motivates nuclei to undergo beta decay? 09:06 How to build something heavy & stable? 10:04 Why heavier nuclei need more neutrons to be stable? 13:23 What motivates nuclei to undergo alpha decay? 15:41 Why is iron the most stable element in the universe? 17:03 Why I named my pet neutron This video was sponsored by squarespace