Nuclear Physics Theory

In this section, we have discussed the fundamentals of atomic nuclei:

Radius of Nucleus

‘R’ represents the radius of nucleus.

R=RoA13

Where,

• R_o is the proportionality constant
• A is the mass number of the element

Total Number of Protons and Neutrons in a Nucleus

The mass number (A), also known as the nucleon number, is the total number of neutrons and protons in a nucleus.

A = Z + N

Where,

• N is the neutron number
• A is the mass number
• Z is the proton number

Mass Defect

Mass defect takes place when some mass is lost during the nuclei generation.

Δm=Zmp+(A−Z)mn−M

Where,

• M is the mass of the nucleus
• Δm is the difference between the mass of the nucleons and mass of the nucleus
• mp is the Mass of the Proton
• mn is the mass of the Neutron

Packing Fraction

Packing fraction is defined as Mass defect per nucleon.

Packing fraction (f) = Mass defect per nucleonsPackingfraction(f)=[Zmp+(A−Z)mn−A]A

Nature of Nuclear Force

The nuclear force acts between the charges and functions as the gravitational force between masses. Nuclear force acts between the protons and neutrons of atoms. Nuclear force is much stronger than the Coulomb force. The nuclear physics is based on the forces known as nuclear force. The nature of nuclear force is given as:

• Nuclear forces are attractive in nature.
• These forces are independent of charges.
• The range of nuclear forces is short.
• As the distance between two nucleons reduces, the nuclear force becomes weak between them.
• The nuclear force is dependent on the spin.