Size of the Nucleus

Rutherford assumed the distance of the closest approach as a measure of the size of an atomic nucleus. Assuming, the nuclei are spherical, the relation between the radius of the nucleus and the mass number is given by:

R = R0A1/3 

where, 
R0 is constant
For electrons R0 = 1.25×10-15m = 1.25 fermi(fm)

The Radius R of a nucleus is proportional to the cube root of its mass number. 

Structure of Nucleus

The nucleus of an atom consists of two types of particles, positively charged particles called protons and neutrally charged particles called neutrons. Protons + Neutrons in an atom represent the nucleus of an atom. The nucleus of an atom is represented by ZXA, where X is the nucleus of an atom, Z is the atomic number and A is the mass number.

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Terms Related to the Nucleus of an Atom

Nucleons: Protons and neutrons which are present in the nuclei of atoms are collectively known as nucleons.Atomic Number: The number of protons in the nucleus is called the atomic number of the element. It is denoted by Z.Mass Number: The total number of protons and neutrons (collectively known as nucleons) present in a nucleus is called the mass number of the element. It is denoted by A.Nuclear Mass:  The total mass of the protons and neutrons present in a nucleus is called nuclear mass....

Types of Nuclei

Various types of Nuclei are discussed below:...

Size of the Nucleus

Rutherford assumed the distance of the closest approach as a measure of the size of an atomic nucleus. Assuming, the nuclei are spherical, the relation between the radius of the nucleus and the mass number is given by:...

Density of Nucleus

The nuclear density is independent of mass number A. The nuclear density is nearly constant and is equal to...

Nuclear Forces

The strong forces of attraction which firmly hold the nucleons in the small nucleus and account for the stability of the nucleus are called nuclear forces....

Mass Defect

The mass of the nucleus is always less than the sum of the masses of nucleons composing the nucleus. The difference between the rest mass of the nucleus and the sum of the rest masses of nucleons constituting the nucleus is known as mass defect....

Binding Energy

The energy required to break a nucleus into its constituent nucleons and place them at an infinite distance is called binding energy....

Binding Energy per Nucleon

The binding energy per nucleon of a nucleus is the average energy required to extract a nucleon from the nucleus....

Solved Examples of Structure of Nucleus

Example 1: Compare the radii of two nuclei with mass numbers 1 and 27 respectively....

FAQs on Structure of Nucleus

Question 1: What are nucleons?...

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