Question
Draw a plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separations. Mark the regions where the nuclear force is (i) attractive and (ii) repulsive. Write any two characteristic features of nuclear forces.
Solution
The below figure shows the plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation.
AB represents repulsive force and part BCD reprtesents attractive force.
Properties of nuclear forces are:
(1) Nuclear forces are attractive and stronger, then electrostatic force.
(2) Nuclear forces are charge-independent.
