Nuclear Dimensions: Why Protons Remain Inside the Nuclear Dimension

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Muhammad Sabih
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of why protons remain within the nuclear dimension despite their similar positive charges, which would typically suggest a repulsive force. The scope includes conceptual and theoretical aspects of nuclear physics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the clarity of the initial inquiry regarding the nature of charges and their implications for nuclear stability.
  • One participant interprets the question as asking how protons can remain close together in the nucleus despite electromagnetic repulsion.
  • Another participant suggests that the balance between repulsive electromagnetic forces and attractive nuclear forces allows protons to coexist within the nucleus.
  • It is noted that for larger nuclei, the presence of neutrons is generally necessary for stability, indicating a complex interplay of forces.
  • A later reply introduces the idea of a complex quantum mechanical system that maintains a bound state, adding further complexity to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the clarity of the initial question, and multiple perspectives on the forces at play within the nucleus are presented, indicating ongoing debate and exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of forces and the role of neutrons in nuclear stability are not fully explored, leaving room for further discussion on these points.

Muhammad Sabih
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Despite the similar nature of charges,protons remain inside the nuclear dimension.why?
 
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Your question is not very clear. Can you be more precise? The similar nature of charges of protons and what?
 
Orodruin said:
Your question is not very clear

Indeed, many of your questions are not very clear. It would probably help if you spent more time composing them, thinking about exactly the sort of answer you are looking for.
 
I think he means, similar to each other. If like repels like, how does the nucleus stay so small?
 
Classically speaking it's easy to think of it in the following way:
Even if you have a repeling force (electromagntic), you still have an attractive one (nuclear force). So at the end as long as those two cancel each other out, protons can stay together. For larger nuclei with many protons, there needs to be enough neutrons too in order for the nuclei to be stable (as a general rule)...
Quantum mechanically you have a very complex dynamical system that exists in a bound state.
 

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