To understand the notation and basic quantities involved in nuclear physics. Nuc

Question

To understand the notation and basic quantities involved in nuclear physics. Nuclear physics borrows the symbols for elements from chemistry. However, knowing which element we are dealing with only tells us one of the numbers important to nuclear physics.

When referring to a specific nucleus, we use the following notation: 5626Fe. The superscript, 56 in this case, denotes the total number of nucleons (protons and neutrons) in the nucleus. This is called the nucleon number and is given the symbol A. The subscript, 26 in this case, is the number of protons in the nucleus. This is called the atomic number and is given the symbol Z. An atom's atomic number determines which element the atom is, in this case Fe (iron). Another important number characterizing an atom is the neutron number N. Since A is the total number of nucleons in the nucleus, the neutron number may be found from the equation A=Z+N. Solving for N gives N=A?Z. Nuclei with the same atomic number but different neutron numbers are called isotopes. Isotopes are often written in a form such as "iron-56.

Assuming that each nucleus is roughly spherical and that its mass is roughly equal to A (in atomic mass units u), what is the density of a nucleus with nucleon number A? Express your answer in terms of A, R0, and .

Explanation / Answer

volume of the nucleus V = 4/3**Ro^3

mass of nucleus = A

so density = mass/volume

= A/(4/3**Ro^3)

= 3A/4Ro^3

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