SUMMARY
The discussion focuses on calculating the Coulomb barrier between a proton and a lithium nucleus using the formula UCoul = kZ1Z2e²/r. The interaction radius was initially miscalculated using atomic rather than nuclear radii, leading to incorrect results. The correct nuclear radius for lithium is 4.8 femtometers (fm) and for a proton is 0.85 fm, resulting in an interaction radius of 5.65 fm. The final calculation yields a Coulomb barrier of approximately 7.66 eV, which is deemed too low for practical applications, indicating a need for careful attention to unit conversions and powers of ten.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of Coulomb's Law and its application in nuclear physics
- Familiarity with atomic and nuclear radii
- Knowledge of unit conversions between electronvolts (eV) and Joules
- Basic algebra for manipulating equations
NEXT STEPS
- Research the implications of the Coulomb barrier in nuclear reactions
- Learn about the differences between atomic and nuclear radii
- Study the concept of energy levels in particle accelerators
- Explore advanced calculations involving potential energy in nuclear physics
USEFUL FOR
Students in physics, particularly those studying nuclear physics, as well as educators and researchers interested in the interactions between protons and atomic nuclei.