Nuclear density is a measure of how tightly packed the nucleons (protons and neutrons) are within a nucleus. It's surprisingly constant across different elements, meaning that regardless of whether you're looking at a small nucleus like helium or a large one like uranium, the density is roughly the same. This is because nuclei behave like incompressible fluids. We calculate it using the mass number (A) and the radius (r) of the nucleus, which is related to A. Ready to try some problems? Let's get started!
Match the term with the correct definition:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1. Nucleon | a. A measure of how tightly packed the matter is within a nucleus. |
| 2. Mass Number (A) | b. The distance from the center of the nucleus to its edge. |
| 3. Nuclear Density | c. A proton or neutron within the nucleus. |
| 4. Nuclear Radius | d. The number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus. |
| 5. Atomic Number (Z) | e. The number of protons in a nucleus. |
The nucleus of an atom contains __________ and __________. The number of these particles determines the atom's __________ and __________. Nuclear density is approximately constant because the nucleus behaves like an __________ fluid.
Explain why the nuclear density is approximately the same for all elements. What does this imply about the forces holding the nucleus together?
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