Question

Draw a plot potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a functions of their separations. Mark the regions where the nuclear force is (i) attractive and (ii) repulsive. Write any two characteristic features of nuclear forces.

Answer 1

The potential energy (PE) vs separation graph is shown in figure. From the graph- (i) the nuclear force is repulsive when the separation is less 1 fm $(1fermi={10}^{-15}m)$. (ii) It is attractive when the separation is greater than 1 fm.

The characteristic properties of nuclear force:

i) The nuclear force is short range force.

iii) The nuclear force is independent of electric charge.