Nuclear Stability: Forces in the Nucleus (VCE SSCE Physics): Flashcards

Nucleons

Which element an atom is (number of protons)

Protons + neutrons

Atoms of same element with different numbers of neutrons

Light ~1:1, heavy up to 1.5:1

$10^{-15}$ m (diameter of nucleus)

Curved band of stable isotopes on neutron vs proton plot

Energy needed to split nucleus into individual nucleons

Iron-56 ($^{56} ext{Fe}$)

Moves up binding energy curve towards higher stability