Nuclear Forces and the Deuteron
Properties of the Nuclear Force
Key features
The nuclear force is attractive at intermediate ranges, repulsive at very short ranges, and approximately charge independent after removing electromagnetic effects. It also depends on spin and isospin, which helps explain differences among nuclear states.
Force characteristics
| Feature | Effect |
|---|---|
| Short range | Acts over about to |
| Repulsive core | Prevents collapse |
| Tensor component | Important in the deuteron |
| Charge independence | Similar , , and nuclear parts |
The deuteron
The deuteron is the bound state of one proton and one neutron, and it is the simplest example of a nucleus held together by the nuclear force.
Why the deuteron matters
The deuteron has very low binding energy, no excited bound states, and a spin-1 ground state. Its properties reveal that the nuclear force is not purely central; tensor effects mix orbital components.
Which nucleus is the simplest bound nuclear system?
The deuteron, consisting of one proton and one neutron, is the simplest bound nucleus.
Correct answer: Deuteron
What are the two nucleons in the deuteron?
The deuteron is a bound state.
Correct answer: a proton and a neutron
Which nuclear-force feature helps prevent nuclei from collapsing into a point?
The short-distance repulsive core provides effective stability at high density.
Correct answer: Repulsive core at short distance
Why is the deuteron important in understanding tensor forces?
The deuteron’s structure cannot be explained by a purely central potential.
Correct answer: Its bound state mixes orbital components