Essential University Physics
4th Edition
ISBN: 9780134988566
Author: Wolfson, Richard
Publisher: Pearson Education,
expand_more
expand_more
format_list_bulleted
Concept explainers
Question
Chapter 38, Problem 1FTD
To determine
To explain: Why do nuclei contain the particle neutrons.
Expert Solution & Answer
Answer to Problem 1FTD
The neutrons are existing in the nucleus to reduce the effective electrostatic repulsion between the protons so that the nucleus can exist in a stable state.
Explanation of Solution
The neutrons and protons constitute the nuclear structure. Protons are positively charged particles and there exist electrostatic repulsion between the protons inside the nucleus. The nuclear structure cannot be stable unless the repulsion between the protons is minimum. In order to reduce the repulsion, the protons cannot go as far apart as possible. Hence there is a requirement of some neutral entity (some particle) so that they fill the nuclear structure along with the protons so that the density of protons in the nuclear volume is reduced and thereby the strength of repulsion.
For lighter nuclei, there exist neutrons, which are equal in number of protons. However, for heavier nucleus the number of neutrons are higher than that of protons in order to reduce the high repulsion and to keep the nuclear density a constant.
Conclusion:
Therefore, the neutrons are existing in the nucleus to reduce the effective electrostatic repulsion between the protons so that the nucleus can exist in a stable state.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Chapter 38 Solutions
Essential University Physics
Ch. 38.1 - Prob. 38.1GICh. 38.2 - Prob. 38.2GICh. 38.3 - Prob. 38.3GICh. 38.4 - Prob. 38.4GICh. 38.5 - Prob. 38.5GICh. 38 - Prob. 1FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 2FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 3FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 4FTDCh. 38 - Why are iodine-131 and strontium-90 particularly...
Ch. 38 - Prob. 6FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 7FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 8FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 9FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 10FTDCh. 38 - Three radon isotopes have 125, 134, and 136...Ch. 38 - Prob. 12ECh. 38 - Prob. 13ECh. 38 - Prob. 14ECh. 38 - Prob. 15ECh. 38 - How many half-lives will it take for the activity...Ch. 38 - Prob. 17ECh. 38 - Prob. 18ECh. 38 - Prob. 19ECh. 38 - Prob. 20ECh. 38 - Prob. 21ECh. 38 - Find the total binding energy of oxygen-16, given...Ch. 38 - Determine the nuclear mass of nickel-60, given...Ch. 38 - Prob. 24ECh. 38 - Prob. 25ECh. 38 - Prob. 26ECh. 38 - Prob. 27ECh. 38 - Prob. 28ECh. 38 - Prob. 29ECh. 38 - Prob. 30ECh. 38 - Prob. 31ECh. 38 - Prob. 32ECh. 38 - Prob. 33ECh. 38 - Prob. 34ECh. 38 - Prob. 35ECh. 38 - Prob. 36ECh. 38 - Prob. 37ECh. 38 - Prob. 38ECh. 38 - Prob. 39ECh. 38 - Prob. 40ECh. 38 - Prob. 41ECh. 38 - Prob. 42PCh. 38 - Prob. 43PCh. 38 - Prob. 44PCh. 38 - Iron-56, with nuclear mass 55.9206 u, is among the...Ch. 38 - Prob. 46PCh. 38 - Prob. 47PCh. 38 - Prob. 48PCh. 38 - Prob. 49PCh. 38 - Nitrogen-13 is a 9.97-min-half-lifc isotope used...Ch. 38 - Prob. 51PCh. 38 - Prob. 52PCh. 38 - Prob. 53PCh. 38 - Prob. 54PCh. 38 - The table below lists reported levels of...Ch. 38 - Prob. 56PCh. 38 - Analysis of a Moon rock shows that 82% of its...Ch. 38 - Prob. 58PCh. 38 - Prob. 59PCh. 38 - Prob. 61PCh. 38 - Prob. 62PCh. 38 - Prob. 63PCh. 38 - Prob. 64PCh. 38 - Prob. 65PCh. 38 - Prob. 66PCh. 38 - Prob. 67PCh. 38 - Prob. 68PCh. 38 - Prob. 69PCh. 38 - Prob. 70PCh. 38 - Prob. 71PCh. 38 - Prob. 72PCh. 38 - Prob. 73PCh. 38 - Prob. 74PCh. 38 - Bismuth-209 and chromium-54 combine to form a...Ch. 38 - Prob. 76PCh. 38 - Prob. 77PCh. 38 - Prob. 78PCh. 38 - Prob. 79PCh. 38 - Prob. 80PCh. 38 - Prob. 81PCh. 38 - Prob. 82PCh. 38 - Prob. 83PCh. 38 - Prob. 84PCh. 38 - Prob. 85PCh. 38 - Prob. 86PPCh. 38 - Prob. 87PPCh. 38 - Prob. 88PPCh. 38 - Prob. 89PP
Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Recommended textbooks for you
- Glencoe Physics: Principles and Problems, Student...PhysicsISBN:9780078807213Author:Paul W. ZitzewitzPublisher:Glencoe/McGraw-HillAn Introduction to Physical SciencePhysicsISBN:9781305079137Author:James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins, Omar TorresPublisher:Cengage LearningModern PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781111794378Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. MoyerPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based TextPhysicsISBN:9781133104261Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage Learning
Glencoe Physics: Principles and Problems, Student...
Physics
ISBN:9780078807213
Author:Paul W. Zitzewitz
Publisher:Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
An Introduction to Physical Science
Physics
ISBN:9781305079137
Author:James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins, Omar Torres
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Modern Physics
Physics
ISBN:9781111794378
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Cengage Learning