Question

Choose the correct statement regarding nuclear properties:

• A. The nuclear density in general is independent of mass number \( A \).
• B. The radius of a nucleus is directly proportional to the mass number \( A \).
• C. The binding energy of a nucleus is inversely proportional to its mass defect.
• D. Energy is absorbed when heavy nuclei undergo transmutation into light nuclei.

Hint:

Nuclear density is constant because volume and mass scale equally with \( A \).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The radius of a nucleus is given by: \[ R = R_0 A^{1/3} \Rightarrow \text{Volume} \propto R^3 \propto A \] Since mass of the nucleus \( \propto A \), density \( \rho = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}} \approx \text{constant} \) Thus, nuclear density is roughly constant and independent of \( A \).