1.

Draw a plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. What is the significance of negative potential energy in the graph drawn ?

Answer»

Solution :Plot of potential energy of a PAIR of nucleons as a FUNCTION of a their separation r has been SHOWN in Fig. 13.06. For `r gt r_(0)` the FORCE is attractive but for `r lt r_(0)` the nuclear force is strongly repulsive.

The negative potential energy signifies that the nucleons are in a state of stable equilibrium because force between them is attractive and their energy is least possible.


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