Ground state energy of nucleus

In summary, the energy of the ground state in the nuclear shell model can be computed using the Strutinsky shell correction method, which is a relatively simple theoretical calculation. The binding energy of a nucleus is determined by the mass of its constituent particles and can be calculated using the equation M(nucleus) = xM(proton) + yM(neutron) - Q, where Q is the binding energy.
  • #1
maxverywell
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2
How do we compute the energy of the ground state using nuclear shell model?
 
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  • #2
Typically this is done using the Strutinsky shell correction method.
 
  • #3
Your questions is a bit ambiguous.
1) Excitations energy: The ground state has (per definition) energy 0, the excited states have a positive excitations energy
2) Theoreticians calculate it from first principles, and they are more or less successful doing so. If your question is about theoretical calculations, you would have to dig into a good number of books.
3) Or do you want to know about the "Binding Energy"? if this is the case: here comes the explanation:
a nucleus consists of x protons and y neutrons. The mass of the nucleus is then:
M(nucleus) = x times M(proton) + y times M(neutron) - Q
where M(xxx) is the mass of the particle (usually expressed in MeV), and Q is the "Binding Energy". For example, the He4-nucleus consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons,and has a Binding energy of ~28 MeV. Protons have a mass of 938.27 MeV and neutrons have a mass of 939.56 MeV. The mass of 4He is then: 2 * (938.27 + 939.56) - 28 = ~3727.6 MeV

(note: "MeV" is an energy unit. if one speaks about "mass" one should more correctly write "MeV/c^2")
 
  • #4
thsb said:
1) Excitations energy: The ground state has (per definition) energy 0, the excited states have a positive excitations energy
But this is obviously not what the OP was asking.

thsb said:
2) Theoreticians calculate it from first principles, and they are more or less successful doing so. If your question is about theoretical calculations, you would have to dig into a good number of books.
No, the Strutinsky shell correction is actually quite simple.

thsb said:
3) Or do you want to know about the "Binding Energy"? if this is the case: here comes the explanation:
a nucleus consists of x protons and y neutrons. The mass of the nucleus is then:
M(nucleus) = x times M(proton) + y times M(neutron) - Q
where M(xxx) is the mass of the particle (usually expressed in MeV), and Q is the "Binding Energy". For example, the He4-nucleus consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons,and has a Binding energy of ~28 MeV. Protons have a mass of 938.27 MeV and neutrons have a mass of 939.56 MeV. The mass of 4He is then: 2 * (938.27 + 939.56) - 28 = ~3727.6 MeV

(note: "MeV" is an energy unit. if one speaks about "mass" one should more correctly write "MeV/c^2")
The OP asked about how to calculate it using the shell model, not how to extract it from experimental data.
 

1. What is the ground state energy of a nucleus?

The ground state energy of a nucleus is the lowest possible energy level that a nucleus can have. It is the energy state that the nucleus naturally settles into, and any excitation or movement away from this state requires additional energy.

2. How is the ground state energy of a nucleus determined?

The ground state energy of a nucleus is determined by measuring the mass of the nucleus and the binding energy that holds the nucleus together. This is done through experiments such as mass spectrometry and nuclear reactions.

3. Does every nucleus have a ground state energy?

Yes, every nucleus has a ground state energy, as it is the natural and stable energy state of a nucleus. However, certain unstable or highly excited nuclei may not have a well-defined ground state energy.

4. Can the ground state energy of a nucleus change?

Yes, the ground state energy of a nucleus can change if the nucleus undergoes a nuclear reaction or decays into a different isotope. In these processes, the energy of the nucleus may change as well.

5. How does the ground state energy of a nucleus affect its stability?

The ground state energy of a nucleus is directly related to its stability. A lower ground state energy indicates a more stable nucleus, as it requires less energy for the nucleus to remain in its natural state. Higher ground state energies may indicate a more unstable nucleus that is more likely to undergo radioactive decay.

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