Question

The radius of the nucleus of an atom is approximately equal to…….

Answer 1

Hint:Every matter is made up of atoms, which uniquely defines a chemical element. Atom in turn is made up of nucleus and electrons which revolve around the nucleus. The nucleus further is made up of protons and neutrons which are collectively known as nucleons.


 Complete step by step solution:
Radius is defined as the distance from the center of the nucleus to the end of the proton distribution of the nucleus. We measure the radius in terms of density, i.e., the density of distribution of positive charge (proton). Although, the nucleus doesn’t have a sharp boundary. The radius of a nucleus is much smaller than the radius of an atom.
The nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons, both these particles have approximately equal mass. The proton carries a positive charge and the neutron is electrically neutral i.e., no charge.
It is found that the nucleus radius is of the order of Fermi, approximately of the range of $$1-10$$ Fermi.
One Fermi is ten to the power minus fifteen.
Hence, the answer is $$1-10$$ fermi meter.

Note:
The radius of an atom is of the order of angstrom and the nucleus is of the order of Fermi, which is $$100000$$ times larger than that of a nucleus.
Electrons and protons carry an equal but opposite charge but the neutron is electrically neutral as a result the atom as a whole is electrically neutral.
The branch of physics involved in the study of the atomic nucleus and the forces acting on them/ keeping them together is called nuclear physics.
Nucleons are bound together by the force known as nuclear force or strong interaction force.
This nuclear force is charge independent, that is, it does not make any difference between proton and neutron based on their charges.