PHYSICS 1X00 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6.6: Atomic Number, Electronvolt, Nuclear Fission
25 Apr 2018
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As we know, the atomic nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons (which we can call nucleons). As we move two protons together, they will repel. We can continue to make their distance shorter, thus the repulsion force will continue to grow in strength. Even when the protons are 3. 0fm (3x10-15m, femto metres) apart, the snf is still non-existent. It is only when we approach 2. 5fm apart, the snf begins to attract the protons (at 2. 5fm, the. 100x stronger than the electrostatic force, thus attracting the protons. The following graph describes the force vs. distance: As the nucleus grows (greater than 20 nucleons, larger than neon), the snf between protons on the extreme left and right sides of the nucleus are greater than 3. 0fm apart, thus they feel repulsion from one another. We can make a plot for different nuclei: Any nucleus that lies below the p = n line will naturally disintegrate.
