Question

The value of the radius constant \[R_0\] used in the nuclear radius formula is approximately:

Options

• \[1.2 \times 10^{-10}\,\text{m}\]

• \[1.2 \times 10^{-15}\,\text{m}\]

• \[2.3 \times 10^{-17}\,\text{m}\]

• \[4.0 \times 10^{-14}\,\text{m}\]

Answer 1

For nuclei, the radius constant is \[R_0 \approx 1.2 \times 10^{-15}\,\text{m}\]. Note that \[4.0 \times 10^{-14}\,\text{m}\] is the distance of closest approach for a 5.5 MeV alpha-particle, and \[2.3 \times 10^{17}\,\text{kg m}^{-3}\] is the nuclear density.