Examveda

A heavy nucleus is found to contain more neutrons than protons. This fact is related to which one of the following statements:

A. The nuclear force between neutrons is stronger than that between protons

B. The nuclear force between protons is of a shorter range than those between neutrons, so that a smaller number of protons are held together by the nuclear force

C. Protons are unstable, so their number in a nucleus diminishes

D. It costs more energy to add a proton to a (heavy) nucleus than a neutron because of the Coulomb repulsion between protons

Answer: Option D


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Related Questions on Nuclear and Particle Physics

The four possible configurations of neutrons in the ground state of $${}_4^9Be$$  nucleus according to the shell model, and the associated nuclear spin are listed below. Choose the correct one

A. $${\left( {{}^1{s_{1/2}}} \right)^2}{\left( {{}^1{p_{3/2}}} \right)^3};\,J = \frac{3}{2}$$

B. $${\left( {{}^1{s_{1/2}}} \right)^2}{\left( {{}^1{p_{1/2}}} \right)^2}{\left( {{}^1{p_{3/2}}} \right)^1};\,J = \frac{3}{2}$$

C. $${\left( {{}^1{s_{1/2}}} \right)^1}{\left( {{}^1{p_{3/2}}} \right)^4};\,J = \frac{1}{2}$$

D. $${\left( {{}^1{s_{1/2}}} \right)^2}{\left( {{}^1{p_{3/2}}} \right)^2}{\left( {{}^1{p_{1/2}}} \right)^1};\,J = \frac{1}{2}$$