Essential University Physics (3rd Edition)
Essential University Physics (3rd Edition)
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9780134202709
Author: Richard Wolfson
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 38, Problem 1FTD
To determine

To explain: Why do nuclei contain the particle neutrons.

Expert Solution & Answer
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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.

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Chapter 38 Solutions

Essential University Physics (3rd Edition)

Ch. 38 - Why are iodine-131 and strontium-90 particularly...Ch. 38 - Prob. 7FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 8FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 9FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 10FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 11FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 12FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 13FTDCh. 38 - Prob. 14FTDCh. 38 - Explain the different approaches to the Lawson...Ch. 38 - Prob. 16FTDCh. 38 - Three radon isotopes have 125, 134, and 136...Ch. 38 - Prob. 18ECh. 38 - Prob. 19ECh. 38 - Prob. 20ECh. 38 - Prob. 21ECh. 38 - How many half-lives will it take for the activity...Ch. 38 - Prob. 23ECh. 38 - Prob. 24ECh. 38 - Prob. 25ECh. 38 - Prob. 26ECh. 38 - Prob. 27ECh. 38 - Prob. 28ECh. 38 - Use Fig. 38.9 to estimate the mass defect in...Ch. 38 - Find the total binding energy of oxygen-16, given...Ch. 38 - Determine the nuclear mass of nickel-60, given...Ch. 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 - As a geologist, youre assessing the feasibility of...Ch. 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 - Today, uranium-235 comprises only 0.72% of natural...Ch. 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
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