True or False: Heavier isotopes are generally more stable.

The statement that heavier isotopes are generally more stable is not accurate. Stability in isotopes depends on the balance between the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. While some heavier isotopes can be stable, many are unstable and radioactive due to insufficient binding energy to hold the nucleus together. This instability often increases with atomic mass, leading to radioactive decay as heavier isotopes typically have a larger neutron-to-proton ratio, which affects their stability.

It's important to recognize that the stability of an isotope does not merely hinge on its mass but rather on its specific nuclear configuration. Some elements have stable isotopes regardless of their weight, while others have only unstable isotopes. Therefore, the idea of stability does not universally apply to heavier isotopes across all elements, which is why the concept is nuanced and cannot be generalized as true or false for all cases.