Question

Briefly explain what is meant by:

a) The strong interaction

b) The weak interaction

c) Electron capture

d) The Chart of the Nuclides

e) Nuclear binding energy

Answer 1

(a) Strong interaction-

It is the interaction between elementary particles which is mediated by gluons. This type of interaction plays a vital role in quantum chromodynamics. The strong interaction has relative strength in 1038. this type of interaction has a very small range 10-15.

(b) Weak Interaction-

It the type of interaction between elementary particle which is mediated by the highest mesons and neutrino. The beta decay is the example of Weak interaction. if the neutrino is involved in nuclear reaction this type of nuclear reaction is known as the weak interaction.

n → pe V

In the above reaction neutron decay into proton, electron and antineutrino. this reaction is known as weak interaction.

It has relative strength 1025 and small range 10-18

(c) Electron capture -

It is the process where proton-rich nucleus of a neutral atom absorbs an inner atom electron (From K and L shell) and proton and electron will change into neutron and electron neutrino.

p + e +n + ve

Example

A1 + e + Mg + ve

In the above example, Al ( 13p,13n) converted into Mg(12p,14n). One proton converted into a neutron with an electron neutrino.

(d) Chart of Nuclide

Chart of the nuclides is the two-dimensional graphical representation in which one axis represents no neutrons and other presents no of proton of an atomic nucleus.

Proton number (Z) Z=N Natural stable isotopes Neutron number (N) 20 ' 40 '60 '80 ' 1'00' 1'20

(e) Nuclear binding energy

Nuclear binding energy is defined as minimum amount of energy required to disassemble of the nucleus of an atom into its constitute part.

it is given by energy mass equivalent formula

ΔΕ = Δm c2,

Where

Am = mass defect,