(a) In a typical nuclear reaction e.g 21H+21H→32H+10n+3.27MeV, although number of nucleons is conserved, yet energy is released, How? Explain. (b) Show that nuclear density in a given nucleus is independent of mass number A.
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Solution
In a nuclear reaction, the aggregate of the masses of the target nucleus (21H) and the bombarding particle may be greater or less than the aggregate of the masses of the product nucleus (32He) and the outgoing particle (10n). So, from the law of conservation of mass- energy some energy (3.27Mev) is evolved or involved in a nuclear reaction.
This energy is called Q-value of the nuclear reaction.
Density of the nucleus =massofnucleusvolumeofnucleus