Explaining Nuclear Force Saturation: The Role of Helium Nucleus Stability

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on explaining nuclear force saturation through the stability of the helium nucleus. It highlights that the helium nucleus, with its four nucleons, is stable, while no stable nuclei exist with five nucleons, suggesting that the nuclear force cannot effectively bind additional nucleons. This lack of stability for larger nuclei indicates that the nuclear binding energy is proportional to the number of nucleons (A) rather than A squared, demonstrating saturation. The stability of helium thus serves as a critical example of how nuclear forces reach their limit. Understanding this relationship is essential for grasping the concept of nuclear force saturation.
GD_Green
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I have solutions to a past paper essay question that indicates that the student should explain the saturation of the nuclear force in terms of the stability of the helium nucleus. I do not see how to do this, I can only explain the saturation of the force in that the nuclear biniding energy is proprtional to A, not A squared.
So, how does the stability of the helium nucleus indicate the nuclear force is saturated?
 
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GD_Green said:
I have solutions to a past paper essay question that indicates that the student should explain the saturation of the nuclear force in terms of the stability of the helium nucleus. I do not see how to do this, I can only explain the saturation of the force in that the nuclear biniding energy is proprtional to A, not A squared.
So, how does the stability of the helium nucleus indicate the nuclear force is saturated?

This might be of some help

http://www.applet-magic.com/semiempirical.htm

At a fairly simple level, I think the stability of the helium nucleus is an indication of saturation because there are no stable nuclei with 5 nucleons, indicating that there is not enough force to bind and additional nucleon to a helium nucleus. Hence, saturation
 
Thank you very much.
 
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