Physics P1 - Stable and unstable nuclei

What is the strong nuclear force?

It is the force that keeps the nucleus stable by counteracting the electrostatic force of repulsion between protons in the nucleus.

What does SNF act on?

Nucleons only.

What are the ranges of SNF?

No effect > 3fm
Attractive 0.5fm -> 3fm
Repulsive <0.5fm

What is an unstable nuclei?

It is a nuclei which has too many protons or neutrons (or both), causing the SNF to not be enough to keep the nucleus stable, therefore causing the nuclei to decay to become stable.

What does the type of decay a nuclei will experience depend on?

Amount of each nucleon in them.

What is alpha decay?

It is what occurs when a large nucleus has too many protons and neutrons.

What is the equation for alpha decay?

- The proton number decreases by 2
- The nucleon number decreases by 4

What is beta-minus decay?

It is what occurs when a nuclei is neutron rich.

What is the equation for beta-minus decay?

- Proton number increases by one
- Nucleon number stays the same
- Anti-neutrino produced