How is the radius of the nucleus estimated? Write its relation to the radius and atomic mass number.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) At Rutherford's suggestion,Geiger and Marsden performed their experiment on the scattering of $\alpha$-particles from thin gold foils. Their experiments revealed that the actual size of the nucleus of gold must be less than $4.0 \times 10^{-14} \ m$.
By performing scattering experiments in which fast electrons,instead of $\alpha$-particles,are projectiles that bombard targets made up of various elements,the size of the nuclei of various elements has been accurately measured,leading to the following formula:
$A$ nucleus of mass number $A$ has a radius $R = R_{0} A^{1/3}$,where $R_{0} = 1.2 \times 10^{-15} \ m = 1.2 \ fm$ and $1 \ fm = 10^{-15} \ m$.
The value of this constant is in the order of the range of the nuclear force. The volume of the nucleus is:
$V = \frac{4}{3} \pi R^{3} = \frac{4}{3} \pi (R_{0} A^{1/3})^{3} = \frac{4}{3} \pi R_{0}^{3} A$.
Therefore,$V \propto A$,which implies that the volume is directly proportional to the mass number. The density of the nucleus is:
$\rho = \frac{M}{V} = \frac{m A}{\frac{4}{3} \pi R_{0}^{3} A} = \frac{3m}{4 \pi R_{0}^{3}}$.
Hence,the density of the nucleus does not depend on the mass number $A$. Calculating the density:
$\rho = \frac{3 \times 1.66 \times 10^{-27}}{4 \times 3.14 \times (1.2 \times 10^{-15})^{3}} \approx 2.3 \times 10^{17} \ kg \ m^{-3}$.
This density is approximately $2.3 \times 10^{14}$ times that of water,indicating that the nucleus is extremely dense due to the large amount of empty space in an atom.

Explore More

Similar Questions

The order of magnitude of the density of a uranium nucleus is: (Given: ${m_p} = 1.67 \times 10^{-27} \ kg$)

Nuclear reactions are given as $(i)$ $(n, p) {}_{16}S^{32} \to {}_{15}P^{32}$,$(ii)$ $(p, \alpha) {}_{8}O^{16} \to {}_{9}F^{19}$,$(iii)$ ${}_{7}N^{14} + ? \to {}_{6}C^{14} + {}_{1}H^{1}$. The missing particles or nuclides in these reactions are respectively:

The volume occupied by an atom is greater than the volume of the nucleus by a factor of about

The order of the size of the nucleus and the Bohr radius of an atom,respectively,are:

Calculate the height of the potential barrier for a head-on collision of two deuterons. (Radius of deuteron is $2$ fm).

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo