Question

Two lithium nuclei in a lithium vapour at room temperature do not combine to form a carbon nucleus- because:

• A. a lithium nucleus is more tightly bound than a carbon nucleus
• B. carbon nucleus is unstable particle
• C. it is not energetically favourable
• D. coulomb repulsion does not allow the nuclei to come very close

Answer 1

The correct option is D coulomb repulsion does not allow the nuclei to come very close

Two lithium nuclei in a lithium vapor can combine only if vapor is heated to a very high temperature. so that the nuclei acquire high kinetic energy to penetrate the coulomb barrier. The vapor is also compressed to a very high pressure.