Question

$\pi$ - mesons are regarded as the nuclear glue to hold up neutrons and protons in nucleus.

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is A True

Protons have positive charge. In any nucleus containing two or more protons there will be electrostatic repulsion between the like charges.

In stable nucleus, attractive forces > repulsive forces and in unstable nucleus, attractive forces < repulsive forces.

Meson theory of stability of the nucleus was postulated by the Japanese scientist Yukawa in 1935.
He postulated the existence of a nuclear particle π-meson or pion which acts as a glue binding the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus.

These mesons hold the protons and neutrons together by continuously exchanging position between neutrons and protons in the nucleus. Hence, π-mesons are regarded as the nuclear glue to hold up neutrons and protons in nucleus.