# Nucleus density

1. Nov 8, 2006

### mawalker

this seems like a fairly simple problem, however i'm not sure if my calculation seems right....

the question:
The nucleus of a uranium atom has a diameter of 1.5 * 10 to the -14 and a mass of 4.0 * 10 to the -25.

It then asks what the density of the nucleus is.

I know that nucleus density is Mass/Volume, and I calculated the volume to be the radius (.5(1.5 * 10 to the -14)) squared times pi. this gave me 1.76 * 10 to the -28. So am i correct with an answer of 4.0 * 10 to the -25 / 1.76 * 10 to the -28? or am i going about this problem wrong? please help.

2. Nov 8, 2006

### Max Eilerson

The volume of a sphere is $$V= \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3$$ volume must have the units of length cubed. What you have calculated is the area of a circle (cross section of the sphere).

3. Nov 8, 2006

### mawalker

ahh, that makes sense... but that still doesn't seem right for some reason. that yielded me 1.4137 * 10 to the -41 for the volume.....

4. Nov 8, 2006

### quasar987

When you cube someting small it becomes even smaller.

5. Nov 8, 2006

### Max Eilerson

You should 1.8E-42 (i presume m^3). You've forgotten that r = 0.5D.

6. Nov 8, 2006

### quasar987

For instance (1/2)³ is of half of one half of one half. That's 1/8, which is smaller than 1/2.

7. Nov 8, 2006

### Staff: Mentor

i.e. $$V_{sphere}= \frac{\pi}{6} d^3$$

8. Nov 8, 2006

### mawalker

thank you... i actually came up with 1.767 * 10^-42 as the volume... a really small number but it is correct.