Chapter 30.1, Problem 13SSC

To determine

To Explain:Reason behind the fact that repulsive electromagnetic force in large nuclei overcomes the strong attractive force making the nucleus stable.

Answer to Problem 13SSC

As the electric force is long-range and the strong force is short-range,the repulsive electromagnetic force in large nuclei overcomes the strong attractive force making the nucleus stable.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

An electrostatic repulsion occurs between the protons that are in the nucleus. Besides electromagnetism, the attraction is due to strong nuclear interaction.

The repulsive electromagnetic force between protons is overcome by the strong nuclear force between neutrons and protons. The nucleus is held together by this force changes. The subatomic particles from one type to another are changed by the weak nuclear force.

All the protons repel each other in the nuclei due to electric force which is a long-range force.

On the other hand, the strong force is short-range and that means the protons nearby attract each other.Therefore, the repulsive force will tend to grow when it has an increasing nuclear size.

Conclusion:

The repulsive force grows as size of nucleus increases. The strong force is short range and hence protons close to each other attract each other. Therefore, in large nuclei the electromagnetic forces overcome the strong attractive force.