Question

Because of its short range, a nucleon mainly interacts with:

Options

• All the nucleons in the nucleus

• Only the protons in the nucleus

• Only the neutrons in the nucleus

• Its nearby nucleons

Answer 1

Since the nuclear force acts only over a very short distance and its effect falls to zero beyond a few femtometres, a nucleon mainly interacts with its nearby nucleons. This behaviour leads directly to the saturation property of the nuclear force.