ATOMIC NUCLEUS Created by C. Mani, Principal, K V No.

1, Jalahalli (W), Bangalore

1. Rutherford’s Alpha Scattering Experiment

2. Distance of Closest Approach (Nuclear Size)
3. Impact Parameter
4. Composition of Nucleus
5. Atomic Number, Mass Number and Atomic Mass Unit
6. Radius of the Nucleus and Nuclear Density
7. Mass Energy Relation and Mass Defect
8. Binding Energy and Binding Energy per Nucleon
9. Binding Energy Curve and Inferences
10. Nuclear Forces and Meson Theory
11. Radioactivity and Soddy’s Displacement Law
12. Rutherford and Soddy’s Laws of Radioactive Decay
13. Radioactive Disintegration Constant and Half-Life Period
14. Units of Radioactivity
15. Nuclear Fission and Fusion
Rutherford’s Alpha Scattering Experiment

α
Bi-214 or
Radon
α - Beam
α
Lead Box Thin
Gold Foil

ZnS Screen

No. of α-particles
scattered (N)
+ Gold Atom

Scattering angle (θ)

α - Beam
Alpha – particle is a nucleus of helium atom carrying a charge of ‘+2e’ and
mass equal to 4 times that of hydrogen atom. It travels with a speed nearly
104 m/s and is highly penetrating.

Rutherford Geiger &

Experiment Marsden
Experiment
Source of Radon Bismuth
α-particle 86Rn
222
83Bi
214

Speed of 104 m/s 1.6 x 107 m/s

α-particle
Thickness of 10-6 m 2.1 x 10-7 m
Gold foil
S. No. Observation Conclusion
1 Most of the α-particles passed It indicates that most of the space
straight through the gold foil. in an atom is empty.

2 Some of the α-particles were α-particles being +vely charged and

scattered by only small angles, heavy compared to electron could
of the order of a few degrees. only be deflected by heavy and
positive region in an atom. It
indicates that the positive charges
and the most of the mass of the
atom are concentrated at the centre
called ‘nucleus’.
3 A few α-particles (1 in 9000) α-particles which travel towards the
were deflected through large nucleus directly get retarded due to
angles (even greater than 90°). Coulomb’s force of repulsion and
ultimately comes to rest and then
Some of them even retraced
fly off in the opposite direction.
their path. i.e. angle of
deflection was 180°.

1
N(θ) α
sin4(θ/2)
Distance of Closest Approach (Nuclear size):

When the distance between α-particle

and the nucleus is equal to the distance
of the closest approach (r0), the α-particle
comes to rest. +
r0
At this point or distance, the kinetic
energy of α-particle is completely
converted into electric potential energy
of the system.

1 2 Ze2
½ mu2 =
4πε0 r0

1 2 Ze2
r0 =
4πε0 ½ mu2
 Impact Parameter (b):

The perpendicular distance of the

velocity vector of the α-particle from u θ
the centre of the nucleus when it is
far away from the nucleus is known b
+
r0
as impact parameter.

Ze2 cot (θ/2)

b=
4πε0 (½ mu2)

i) For large value of b, cot θ/2 is large and θ, the scattering angle is small.
i.e. α-particles travelling far away from the nucleus suffer small deflections.
ii) For small value of b, cot θ/2 is also small and θ, the scattering angle is large.
i.e. α-particles travelling close to the nucleus suffer large deflections.

iii) For b = 0 i.e. α-particles directed towards the centre of the nucleus,

cot θ/2 = 0 or θ/2 = 90° or θ = 180°

The α-particles retrace their path.

 Composition of Nucleus:
Every atomic nucleus except that of Hydrogen has two types of particles –
protons and neutrons. (Nucleus of Hydrogen contains only one proton)
Proton is a fundamental particle with positive charge 1.6 x 10-19 C and
mass 1.67 x 10-27 kg (1836 times heavier than an electron).
Neutron is also a fundamental particle with no charge and
mass 1.675 x 10-27 kg (1840 times heavier than an electron).

Atomic Number (Z):

The number of protons in a nucleus of an atom is called atomic number.

Atomic Mass Number (A):

The sum of number of protons and number of neutrons in a nucleus of an
atom is called atomic mass number.
A=Z+N
Atomic Mass Unit (amu):
Atomic Mass Unit (amu) is (1 / 12)th of mass of 1 atom of carbon.
1 12
1 amu = x g = 1.66 x 10-27 kg
12 6.023 x 1023
Size of Nucleus:
Nucleus does not have a sharp or well-defined boundary.
However, the radius of nucleus can be given by

R = R0 A⅓ where R0 = 1.2 x 10-5 m is a constant which is the

same for all nuclei and
A is the mass number of the nucleus.
Radius of nucleus ranges from 1 fm to 10 fm.
Nuclear Volume, V = (4/3) π R3 = (4/3) π R03 A
VαA
Nucleus Density:
Mass of nucleus, M = A amu = A x 1.66 x 10-27 kg
Nuclear Volume, V = (4/3) π R3 = (4/3) π R03 A
4 22
= x x (1.2 x 10-15)3 A m3
3 7
= 7.24 x 10-45 A m3

Nucleus Density, ρ = M / V = 2.29 x 1017 kg / m3

Discussion:
1. The nuclear density does not depend upon mass number. So, all
the nuclei possess nearly the same density.
2. The nuclear density has extremely large value. Such high
densities are found in white dwarf stars which contain mainly
nuclear matter.
3. The nuclear density is not uniform throughout the nucleus. It has
maximum value at the centre and decreases gradually as we move
away from the centre of the nucleus.
4. The nuclear radius is the distance from the centre of the nucleus
at which the density of nuclear matter decreases to one-half of its
maximum value at the centre.
Mass – Energy Relation:
According to Newton’s second law of motion, force acting on a body is
defined as the rate of change of momentum.

d dv dm
F= (mv) = m +v
dt dt dt
If this force F displaces the body by a distance dx, its energy increases by
dv dm
dK = F.dx = m dx + v dx
dt dt
dx dx
dK = m dv + v dm
dt dt
dK = m v dv + v2 dm ………… (1)

According to Einstein’s relation of relativistic mass,

m0
m=
[1 – (v2 / c2)]½
Squaring and manipulating, m2c2 – m2v2 = m02c2
Differentiating (with m0 and c as constants)

c2 2m dm – m2 2v dv – v2 2m dm = 0
or c2 dm – mv dv – v2 dm = 0

c2 dm = mv dv + v2 dm ……………..(2)

From (1) and (2), dK = dm c2

If particle is accelerated from rest to a velocity v, let its mass m0 increases to m.

Integrating,
K m
Total increase in K.E. = dK = c2 dm
0 m0

K = (m – m0) c2 or K + m0 c2 = m c2

Here m0c2 is the energy associated with the rest mass of the body and K is the
kinetic energy.
Thus, the total energy of the body is given by E = m c2
This is Einstein’s mass - energy equivalence relation.
Mass Defect:
It is the difference between the rest mass of the nucleus and the sum of the
masses of the nucleons composing a nucleus is known as mass defect.

Δm = [ Zmp + (A – Z) mn ] - M

Mass defect per nucleon is called packing fraction.

Binding Energy:
It is the energy required to break up a nucleus into its constituent parts and
place them at an infinite distance from one another.
B.E = Δm c2
Nuclear Forces:
They are the forces between p – p, p – n or n – n in the nucleus. They can be
explained by Meson Theory.

There are three kinds of mesons – positive (π+), negative (π-) and neutral (π0).

π+ and π- are 273 times heavier than an electron.

π0 is 264 times heavier than an electron.

Nucleons (protons and neutrons) are surrounded by mesons.

Main points of Meson Theory:
1. There is a continuous exchange of a meson between one nucleon and
other. This gives rise to an exchange force between them and keep
them bound.

2. Within the nucleus, a neutron is never permanently a neutron and a

proton is never permanently a proton. They keep on changing into each
other due to exchange of π-mesons.

3. The n – n forces arise due to exchange of π0 – mesons between the

neutrons.
n → n + π0 (emission of π0)

n + π0 → n (absorption of π0)

4. The p – p forces arise due to exchange of π0 – mesons between the

protons.
p → p + π0 (emission of π0)
p + π0 → p (absorption of π0)
5. The n – p forces arise due to exchange of π+ and π- mesons between the
nucleons.
n → p + π- (emission of π-)

n + π+ → p (absorption of π+)
p → n + π+ (emission of π+)
p + π- → n (absorption of π-)

6. The time involved in such an exchange is so small that the free meson
particles cannot be detected as such.

Binding Energy per Nucleon:

It is the binding energy divided by total number of nucleons.

It is denoted by B

B = B.E / Nucleon = Δm c2 / A
 Fe56
40 Binding Energy Curve:
Al27 Cl35 Ar
9 Sr86 Xe124 Xe136
8.8 Ne20 As75 W182
16 Mo98 Pt208
O
8 Cu63 Xe130 U238
F19
C12 Pt194
Average B.E per Nucleon (in MeV)

N14
He4
7 Be11 U235

Region of maximum stability

Be9 Fission
6
Li7
Li6 Special Features:
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Mass Number (A)

 Special Features:
1. Binding energy per nucleon of very light nuclides such as 1H2 is very small.
2. Initially, there is a rapid rise in the value of binding energy per nucleon.
3. Between mass numbers 4 and 20, the curve shows cyclic recurrence of
peaks corresponding to 2He4, 4Be8, 6C12, 8O16 and 10Ne20. This shows that the
B.E. per nucleon of these nuclides is greater than those of their immediate
meighbours. Each of these nuclei can be formed by adding an alpha
particle to the preceding nucleus.
4. After A = 20, there is a gradual increase in B.E. per nucleon. The maximum
value of 8.8 MeV is reached at A = 56. Therefore, Iron nucleus is the most
stable.
5. Binding energy per nucleon of nuclides having mass numbers ranging from
40 to 120 are close to the maximum value. So, these elements are highly
stable and non-radioactive.
6. Beyond A = 120, the value decreases and falls to 7.6 MeV for Uranium.
7. Beyond A = 128, the value shows a rapid decrease. This makes elements
beyond Uranium (trans – uranium elements) quite unstable and radioactive.
8. The drooping of the curve at high mass number indicates that the nucleons
are more tightly bound and they can undergo fission to become stable.
9. The drooping of the curve at low mass numbers indicates that the nucleons
can undergo fusion to become stable.
 Radioactivity: + -
Radioactivity is the phenomenon of emitting + -
γ
alpha, beta and gamma radiations + -
β
spontaneously. + -
Soddy’s Displacement Law: + -
α -
α +
1. A A-4
ZY Z-2Y + -
+ -
β
2. Z YA Z+1Y
A
+ Lead -
+ Box -
γ -
3. Z YA ZY
A (Lower energy) Radioactive
substance
Rutherford and Soddy’s Laws of Radioactive Decay:
1. The disintegration of radioactive material is purely a random process and
it is merely a matter of chance. Which nucleus will suffer disintegration, or
decay first can not be told.
2. The rate of decay is completely independent of the physical composition
and chemical condition of the material.
3. The rate of decay is directly proportional to the quantity of material
actually present at that instant. As the decay goes on, the original material
goes on decreasing and the rate of decay consequently goes on
decreasing.
If N is the number of radioactive atoms present at any instant, then the rate of
decay is,
dN dN
- αN or -
dt =λN
dt
where λ is the decay constant or the disintegration constant.
Rearranging,
dN
= - λ dt
N
Integrating, loge N = - λ t + C where C is the integration constant.
If at t = 0, we had N0 atoms, then
loge N0 = 0 + C N0

No. of atoms (N)

loge N - loge N0 = - λ t
N0/2
or loge (N / N0) = - λ t
N0/4
N N0/8
or = e- λt or N = N0 e- λ t N0/16
N0 0 T 2T 3T 4T
Time in half lives
Radioactive Disintegration Constant (λ):
According to the laws of radioactive decay,
dN
= - λ dt
N
If dt = 1 second, then
dN
=-λ
N
Thus, λ may be defined as the relative number of atoms decaying per second.

Again, since N = N0 e- λ t

And if, t = 1 / λ, then N = N0 / e

N 1
or =
N0 e

Thus, λ may also be defined as the reciprocal of the time when N / N0 falls to 1 / e.
Half – Life Period:
Half life period is the time required for the disintegration of half of the amount
of the radioactive substance originally present.
If T is the half – life period, then
N 1
= = e -λT (since N = N0 / 2)
N0 2

eλT = 2

λ T = loge 2 = 0.6931

0.6931 0.6931
T= or λ=
λ T
Time t in which material changes from N0 to N:
t = 3.323 T log10 (N0 / N)

Number of Atoms left behind after n Half – Lives:

N = N0 (1 / 2)n or N = N0 (1 / 2)t/T
Units of Radioactivity:
1. The curie (Ci): The activity of a radioactive substance is said to be one
curie if it undergoes 3.7 x 1010 disintegrations per second.
1 curie = 3.7 x 1010 disintegrations / second
2. The rutherford (Rd): The activity of a radioactive substance is said to be
one rutherford if it undergoes 106 disintegrations per second.
1 rutherford = 106 disintegrations / second
3. The becquerel (Bq): The activity of a radioactive substance is said to be
one becquerel if it undergoes 1 disintegration per second.

1 becquerel = 1 disintegration / second

1 curie = 3.7 x 104 rutherford = 3.7 x 1010 becquerel

Nuclear Fission:
Nuclear fission is defined as a type of nuclear disintegration in which a heavy
nucleus splits up into two nuclei of comparable size accompanied by a
release of a large amount of energy.

0n
1 + 92U235 → (92U236) → 56Ba141 + 36Kr92 +30n1 + γ (200 MeV)
Chain Reaction:

Neutron (thermal) 0n1

Uranium 235
92U

Barium 141
56Ba

Krypton 92
36Kr

n = No. of fission stages

n=1 n=2 n=3 N = No. of Neutrons
N=1 N=9 N = 27 N = 3n
Chain Reaction: Critical Size:
For chain reaction to occur, the
size of the fissionable material
must be above the size called
‘critical size’.
A released neutron must travel
minimum through 10 cm so that it
is properly slowed down (thermal
neutron) to cause further fission.
If the size of the material is less
than the critical size, then all the
neutrons are lost.
If the size is equal to the critical
size, then the no. of neutrons
produced is equal to the no. of
neutrons lost.
If the size is greater than the
n=1 n=2 n=3
critical size, then the reproduction
N=1 N=9 N = 27 ratio of neutrons is greater than 1
and chain reaction can occur.
Nuclear Fusion:
Nuclear fusion is defined as a type of nuclear reaction in which two lighter
nuclei merge into one another to form a heavier nucleus accompanied by a
release of a large amount of energy.
Energy Source of Sun:
Proton – Proton Cycle:
1H
1 + 1H1 → 1H
2 + 1e
0 + 0.4 MeV

1H
1 + 1H
2 → 2He
3 + 5.5 MeV

2He
3 + 2He
3 → 2He
4 + 2 1H1 + 12.9 MeV
Energy Source of Star:
Carbon - Nitrogen Cycle:
6C
12 + 1H
1 → 7N
13 +γ (energy)
7N
13 → 6C
13 + 1e0 (positron)
6C
13 + 1H
1 → 7N
14 +γ (energy)
7N
14 + 1H
1 → 8O
15 +γ (energy)
8O
15 → 7N
15 + 1e0 (positron)
7N
15 + 1H
1 → 6C
12 + 2He4 + γ (energy)
End of Atomic Nucleus