Potential energy of proton vs neutron

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the potential energy of protons versus neutrons within atomic nuclei, specifically addressing gravitational, electric, and nuclear potential energy. Participants are encouraged to investigate the "binding energy" of various isotopes and elements to understand the contributions of each nucleon. The analysis reveals that results will vary significantly across the periodic table, highlighting the complexity of nucleon interactions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear physics concepts, particularly binding energy
  • Familiarity with isotopes and their properties
  • Knowledge of the periodic table and its structure
  • Basic grasp of potential energy types: gravitational, electric, and nuclear
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "binding energy" calculations for isotopes of common elements
  • Explore the differences in potential energy contributions between protons and neutrons
  • Examine the periodic trends in nuclear stability and energy
  • Investigate the role of nucleon interactions in nuclear reactions
USEFUL FOR

Students of nuclear physics, physicists analyzing atomic structure, and researchers studying isotopic stability and energy contributions in nuclei.

quawa99
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Consider an atom having multiple protons and neutrons in its nucleus, which of the two nucleons will have higher magnitude of potential energy?
 
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Are you talking about gravitational potential energy? Electric potential energy? Nuclear potential energy? All of them added together?
 
You can look up the "binding energy" for different isotopes of the same element, and see what each neutron contributes.

Then look up the binding energy for different elements with the same number of nucleons. This will provide some insight into the contribution of each proton.

You will almost certainly obtain different results as you work your way up and down the periodic table.

Please report back with your results!
 

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