Describe how the strong nuclear force between nucleons varies with seperation of the nucleons.

At short distances between the nucleons at roughly 3 femtometers or so, the strong nuclear force between two nucleons begins to overcome the electrostatic repulsion (if both or one nucleon is a proton). The strong force then becomes it's strongest at roughly 1.5 femtometers, hence meaning that is the typical seperation between two nucleons. At even shorter distances than that the force then starts to become a repulsive force at roughly 0.2 femtometers or so, this is to prevent the nucleons from colliding into a singlarity. 

RW

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain why for heavy nuclei there is imbalance in the number of protons and neutrons. Give reference to the range and particle type of the forces that influence this imbalance.


describe how a microwave oven works (EM waves + thermal physics)


An electrical heater supplies 500J of heat energy to a copper cylinder of mass 32.4g Find the increase in temperature of the cylinder. (Specific heat capacity of copper = 385 J*kg^-1*Celsius^-1


When catching a ball, a cricketer moves his hands for a short distance in the direction of travel of the ball as it makes contact with his hands. Explain why this technique results in less force being exerted on the cricketer's hands