5.Draw a plot of the binding energy per nucleon as a function of mass number for a large number of nuclei, 2≤ A ≤ 240. How do you explain the constancy of binding energy per nucleon in the range 30 < A< 170 using the property that nuclear force is short-ranged? Nuclear forces are short ranged, so every nucleon interacts with their neighbours only; so binding energy per nucleon remains constant.
Dear student,
Find the answer to your query as under:
The plot will be as under:
The above curve tells us that the binding energy per nucleon is smaller for heavier nuclei than for the middle level nuclei. Meaning heavier nuclei are less stable than middle level nuclei. The binding energy in the range of 30<A<170 has average binding energy per nucleon = 8.5 MeV. This higher stability is attributed to the fact the neutron-proton ration in these elements which makes the nuclear force attractive enough to overcome the coulombian repulsive force of the positively charged protons.
Regards
Satyendra Singh
Find the answer to your query as under:
The plot will be as under:
The above curve tells us that the binding energy per nucleon is smaller for heavier nuclei than for the middle level nuclei. Meaning heavier nuclei are less stable than middle level nuclei. The binding energy in the range of 30<A<170 has average binding energy per nucleon = 8.5 MeV. This higher stability is attributed to the fact the neutron-proton ration in these elements which makes the nuclear force attractive enough to overcome the coulombian repulsive force of the positively charged protons.
Regards
Satyendra Singh