Nuclear Shell Model: Explaining Nucleon Occupancy

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the nuclear shell model, specifically focusing on how nucleons occupy energy levels, the implications of the Pauli exclusion principle, and the complexities of pairing nucleons within these levels. Participants explore theoretical aspects, practical challenges in predicting nuclear spins, and the limitations of the shell model.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how nucleons occupy the 1p3/2 level, particularly regarding pairing and the implications of the Pauli exclusion principle.
  • Another participant notes that the number of independent spin states for spin j is (2j+1), indicating that j=3/2 has four independent spin states, allowing for four protons and four neutrons in the 1p3/2 level.
  • There is a suggestion that the pairing of nucleons in an unfilled level can be complicated, with one participant proposing a specific pairing sequence.
  • A later reply mentions that the valence nucleon model often yields incorrect predictions for nuclear spin and parity, suggesting limitations of the shell model.
  • Some participants express difficulties in using the nuclear shell model to predict the net spin of specific nuclei, such as 11B and 10B.
  • Links to external resources are shared, but some participants find them lacking in detail.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the pairing of nucleons and the effectiveness of the shell model in predicting nuclear properties. There is no consensus on how to resolve these complexities, and multiple competing views remain.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the challenges in pairing nucleons and the limitations of the shell model, particularly in relation to predicting nuclear spins and parities. Some assumptions about pairing sequences are proposed but remain unverified.

Winga
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I don't know how nucleons occupy each energy level, especially the one with multiple states.

For example, 1p3/2, there are 4 states in this level, that can be occupied 4 nucleons.

If there are 2 nucleons in this level, do they must be paired-up? Why?

And if there are 3 nucleons in this level, 2 nucleons are paired and 1 nucleon is unpaired? Why?

According to Pauli exclusion principle, two fermions cannot occupy the same quantum state.
For 1p3/2, how can I assign nucleons to this state without violating this principle?
 

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The number of independent spin states for spin j is (2j+1), so j=3/2 has four independent spin states. There can be 4 protons and 4 neutrons in the 1p3/2 level.
The pairing in an unfilled level can be complicated.
 
Meir Achuz said:
The pairing in an unfilled level can be complicated.
This is what I wonder.

Is it the 1st one is upaired,
2nd ---> paired with the 1st one
3rd ---> unpaired
4th ---> paired with the 3rd one
 
Winga said:
This is what I wonder.

Is it the 1st one is upaired,
2nd ---> paired with the 1st one
3rd ---> unpaired
4th ---> paired with the 3rd one

In the valence nucleon model, this is usually assumed. But when you look at some nuclei and compute the nuclear spin and parity from the valence nucleon shell model, it often times gives the incorrect answers. So there must be something more going on than the shell model is able to tell us about. Krane's book, "introductory nuclear physics" gives a good (ok decent) discussion on this model and its short comings.

Cheers,
Ryan
 
Meir Achuz said:
The number of independent spin states for spin j is (2j+1), so j=3/2 has four independent spin states. There can be 4 protons and 4 neutrons in the 1p3/2 level.
The pairing in an unfilled level can be complicated.
Are these 4 states degenerate?
 
Astronuc said:
I had read it already, but it is not detail enough.

I just wonder the nuclear spin quantum number for some NMR active elements and their isotopes, but I have a difficulty in pairing up of nucleons.
 
Last edited:
i also have same problem with use of nuclear shell to predict net spin of nuclei, for example in case of 11B(3/2) and 10B(I=3)
 
tuul said:
i also have same problem with use of nuclear shell to predict net spin of nuclei, for example in case of 11B(3/2) and 10B(I=3)

You mean how to find Nuclear spins of ground state for the following nuclei: ??

[tex]^{\text{11}}[/tex]B and [tex]^{\text{10}}[/tex]B
 
  • #10
Perhaps this link will help see how nucleons fill shells:

http://www.lbl.gov/abc/wallchart/chapters/06/1.html
 
  • #11
Rade said:
Perhaps this link will help see how nucleons fill shells:

http://www.lbl.gov/abc/wallchart/chapters/06/1.html


But one has to know how to cuople.
 

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