Nuclear Properties

Atomic number:

The number of protons in a nucleus is called its atomic number. It is denoted by Z. The
identity of an element depends on the atomic number of its nucleus.

Mass number:

The total number of neutrons and the protons in a nucleus is known as the mass
number. It is denoted by A.

A nucleus is represented by

e.g.

Nucleon:

Nucleon is the general name of neutrons and protons in a nucleus.

Nuclide:

Atomic species characterized by bits nuclei i.e. the mass number and atomic number.

Nuclear force:

The force with which the nucleons are bound in a nucleus is called nuclear force. In
another ward, by which force the neutron and the proton combined in a nucleus is
called nuclear force.

Isotope:

Nuclides having the same number of protons but different number of neutrons are
called the isotopes of the element.

Example:

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
[ * indicates the radioactive(unstable) nucleus]
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Isobar:

Nuclides having same mass number but different atomic number are called isobar.

Example:

(i)
(ii)

Isotone:

Nuclides having the same neutron number but different proton number are known as
isotone.

Example:

(i)
(ii)

Nuclear charge:

The number of unit positive charge carried by a nucleus is equal to the number of its
protons. Hence, charge equals its atomic number Z. For example, a hydrogen nucleus
(i.e. proton) carries a single positive charge whereas nobelium nucleus carries 102
units of positive charge.

Nuclear Size

It has been experimentally established that the volume of a nucleus is proportional to

If a nuclear radius is R, the corresponding volume is π and so is proportional to

R = R0

The value of R0 is, R0 = 1.4 x 10-15 m =1.4 fermi [ 1 fermi = 10-15m]

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Q1: Find the radius of

Ans: We know,

R = R0 and R0 = 1.4 x 10-15 m =1.4 fermi

or, R0 = 1.2 x 10-15 m =1.2 fermi

RAl = 1.2x(27)1/3 = 1.2x3 = 3.6 fermi

RCu = 1.2x(64)1/3 = 1.2x4 = 4.8 fermi

RU = 1.2x(235)1/3 = 1.2x6.17 = 7.4 fermi

RC = 1.2x(12)1/3 = 1.2x2.28 = 2.7 fermi

Mirror Nucleus:

If two nuclei are such that the number of protons and neutrons in one is equal to the
number of neutrons and protons respectively of the other, then they are called mirror
nucleus.

Example:

(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Units of mass and energy:

Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence equation is E = mc2

If units of mass and speed of light are in kg and meter/sec then, the unit of energy is in
joule.

E = mc2 = m x (3x108)2 joule

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Energy Units:

It is a unit which is frequently used in nuclear and atomic physics.

The amount of work done by an electron to traverse a potential difference of 1 volt is

One electron volt (1ev) = Charge of electron x 1 volt

= 1.6022 x10-19coul x 1 volt

= 1.6022 x 10-19joule

1 M ev = 106 ev =1.6022x10-19x106Joule = 1.6022x10-13Joule

E = mc2 = m (2.998x108)2 = m x 8.988x1016 Joule

= m x 8.988x1016/1.6022x10-13 Mev

= mx 5.609x1029Mev

Rest mass of proton = 1.672x10-27kg

 E = 1.672x 10-27x5.609x1029 Mev

= 938.3 Mev

i.e.; Rest mass energy of a proton is 938.3 Mev

Atomic mass unit (a.m.u)

This is the unit of mass normally used in nuclear physics. The mass of a atom is
taken equal to 12 a.m.u.

 1 a.m.u = atom)

Now, 1 gm atom = 12gm,

But, in 1gm mass the no of atoms is N0= 6.0225x1023 (Avogadro’s number)

Mass of a atom =

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 1 a.m.u =

= gm =1.66057 x 10-27 kg x 5.6095 x 1029 Mev

= 9.3149 x 102 Mev = 931.5 Mev

Q2: Compute the energy of one atomic mass unit in Mev.

Ans: By using Einstein’s mass-energy equation, the energy equivalence of 1 a.m.u can

be found easily.

Now, 1 a.m.u = 1.66 x 10-27kg, c = 2.998 x 108m/sec.

 E = mc2 = 1.66 x 10-27x (2.998 x 108)2 Joule

= 14.920 x 10-11Joule

Also, 1 Mev = 1.6022 X 10-13 Joule

E= Mev = 9.31 x 102 = 931 Mev

Binding Energy:

The minimum energy needed to disrupt ( or, break) a nucleus into separate neutrons
and protons is called the binding energy of the nucleus.

According to the concept of the equivalence of mass and energy, the mass defect is a
measure of the energy which would be released if the individual Z protons and (A-Z)
Neutrons combined to form a nucleus.

In other words the energy equivalent of the mass defect is called the binding energy of
the nucleus.

If there are Z no. of protons and (A-Z) no. of neutrons in a nucleus then the

Binding energy (B.E) = [ZMP +Mn(A-Z) – M]c2 = mc2

where, mp and Mn and M are the mass of a proton, neutron and a nucleus respectively.

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Mass defect

The actual mass of any permanently stable atom is always less than the sum of the
masses of its constituents. The difference between a nuclear mass and sum of the
masses of the neutrons and protons of which it is composed is called the mass defect. It
is denoted by m.

Mathematically, Δm = ZMp + (A-Z)Mn- M

Where, Z = Number of protons

(A-Z) = Number of neutrons

Mp= Mass of a proton

Mn= Mass of a neutron

M = Mass of the Nucleus

Separation energy

The minimum energy needed to disrupt nucleons from a nucleus (or, nucleus in to
separate neutrons and protons) is called the separation energy of a nucleons.

In other words the separation energy is defined as the binding energy per nucleons.

S = B/A

Neutron separation energy

The minimum energy needed to separate a neutron from a nucleus from a nucleus is
called the neutron separation energy and it is denoted by Sn. It is also called the
neutron binding energy.

Sn = [M(

= B(

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Proton Separation energy

The minimum energy needed to separate a proton from a nucleus is called the proton
separation energy and it is denoted by Sp. It is also called the proton binding energy.

Sp = [M (

=B(

Q3: Show that the nuclear density is constant.

Ans: Let us consider a nucleus of mass number A. If the mass of each nucleon is equal
and denoted by m, then M = mA. We know that the volume of the nucleus is
proportional to A

i.e. volume V α A

or, V = R0A

where, R0 is proportionality constant.

We know the density

б= =

Here, m is the mass of a nucleon and R0 is constant. So the density б is also constant.

Q4: Determine the stable nucleus that has a radius 1/3 that of ?

Ans: Since, R α

 According to question

R=

or,

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 

or, , A=

Hence, the determinant nucleus is

Q5: Find the approximate density of a nucleus.

Ans: Let us consider a nucleus as a uniform sphere, then

Density

kg m-3

Q6: What is the difference between the binding energy of ?

Ans: We know,

B.E = [ZMH + (A-Z)Mn- M/]c2

Where, MH and M/ are the mass of Hydrogen and the atom.

M/( , M/(

B( = 931.5[2x1.007825 + 1.0086665 – 3.016030] Mev = 7.72 Mev

B( = 931.5[1.007825 + 2x1.0086665 – 3.016050] Mev = 8.48 Mev

 Difference of B.E of

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Q7: Determine the binding energy per nucleon of .

Soln: We know, [ZMH + (A-Z) Mn- M/] Mev

Mev

Mev

Q8: What is the separation energy for a proton from ?

[m ( 4.002604 a.m.u, m( 3.016050 a.m.u

and m( 1.007825 a.m.u]

Ans: Mass of 3.016050 a.m.u

Mass of 1.007825 a.m.u

Total mass = 4.023875 a.m.u

Then the mass defect = (4.023875 – 4.002604) a.m.u = 0.021271 a.m.u

The separation energy = 0.021271 x 931.5 = 19.8139 Mev

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