Electron scattering: nuclear radius to nucleon number relationship

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between the root mean square (rms) radius and the nucleon number in the context of nuclear physics. The original poster is trying to understand the distinction between the rms radius and the nuclear radius, as well as how to derive the value of R₀ in the equation R = R₀A^{1/3} based on a provided graph.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to clarify the relationship between the rms radius and the nuclear radius, questioning how to derive R₀ from the graph's gradient. Some participants suggest using integrals related to the geometry of a uniform sphere to explore the rms radius.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing hints and guidance on using integrals to find the rms radius. The original poster expresses progress in understanding, indicating that they feel they are on the right track, although no consensus has been reached on the final solution.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes a lack of information regarding the charge radius, which has not been discussed in the lecture, potentially impacting their understanding of the problem.

AlexCdeP
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Hi! I am extremely confused on what seems to be quite a simple question. The question contains a graph of root mean square radius <r[itex]^{2}[/itex]> plotted against A[itex]^{1/3}[/itex] where A is the nucleon number. In the lecture notes he specifies that <r[itex]^{2}[/itex]> is not the same as R but does not really say specifically what the difference is. It is given that the gradient of the line in this graph is 0.96. I am meant to find the value of R[itex]_{0}[/itex] in the relationship R=R[itex]_{0}[/itex]A[itex]^{1/3}[/itex] but I'm not certain how to find it because I don't know what the relationship between the rms r and R is.

Any help would be amazing.

I have worked through trying to use the charge radius but without success, he never mentioned the charge radius in the lecture so I'm not sure what to do. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_radius
 

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If you have a uniform sphere of radius R, what is the (squared) rms radius <r2> of its volume? Hint: You'll need an integral (or a formula).
 
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Thanks so much I think I'm on the right track now. So for a uniform sphere you use some spherical coordinate integrals to find that the rms radius is related to the radius by [itex]\frac{3}{5}[/itex]R[itex]^{2}[/itex]. Is this the correct formula to get?

Also am I right in saying that I am effectively finding the expectation value of r[itex]^{2}[/itex]?
 
Finally got the answer! Thanks again man couldn't have done it without you!
 
AlexCdeP said:
Thanks so much I think I'm on the right track now. So for a uniform sphere you use some spherical coordinate integrals to find that the rms radius is related to the radius by [itex]\frac{3}{5}[/itex]R[itex]^{2}[/itex]. Is this the correct formula to get?

Also am I right in saying that I am effectively finding the expectation value of r[itex]^{2}[/itex]?
Yup.
 

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