IB Physics HL E 1 7 Hl Nuclear Radius Questions

Calculate HL nuclear radii and compare nuclei using the A^(1/3) relationship, constant nuclear density and the scale of nuclear interactions.

Exam points

calculate nuclear radius or diameter using R=R0A^(1/3), with correct powers of ten and units
explain why nuclear density is approximately independent of nucleon number and compare nuclear size with atomic scale
use nuclear radius and separation estimates to decide whether particles can approach or interact within the range of the nucleus

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Study E.1.7 (HL)—Nuclear radius conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

[Maximum number: 3]

(a)

State how the density of a nucleus varies with the number of nucleons in the nucleus.

[ 1 ]

(b)

Show that the nuclear radius of phosphorus-31 $\left({ }_{15}^{31} \mathrm{P}\right)$ is about 4 fm .

[ 1 ]

$R=1.20\times10^{-15}\times31^{\frac{1}{3}}=3.8\times10^{-15}\ \mathrm{m}$

(c)

$\quad{ }_{15}^{32} \mathrm{P}$ is formed when a nucleus of deuterium $\left({ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H}\right)$ collides with a nucleus of ${ }_{15}^{31} \mathrm{P}$ . The radius of a deuterium nucleus is 1.5 fm .

[ 1 ]

(i)

State the maximum distance between the centres of the nuclei for which the production of ${ }_{15}^{32} \mathrm{P}$ is likely to occur.

[ 1 ]

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IB Physics HL E 1 7 Hl Nuclear Radius Questions question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (c)

Question (i)