Nuclear binding forces
Nucleus: protons+neutrons
electrostatic repulsion forces between protons
WHAT HOLDS THE NUCLEONS TOGETHER?
Nuclear forces: or strong interaction: much stronger than the electrostatic repulsion force between the protons.
Energy associated to the strong interaction: Nuclear energy
Nuclear energy: a new possible source of energy
- rearrangement of the nucleons in the nuclei can liberate this energy
studying nuclear forces and energy:
- more complicated than studying the electronic shells
(smaller, and higher energy required)
- bombarding nucleons with heavy particles: ?, p, n
- in order to reach and penetrate the nucleus high energy required --> achieved with particle accelerators