Question

Inside a nucleus, the nuclear forces between proton and proton, proton and neutron, neutron and neutron are \( F_{pp} \), \( F_{pn} \), and \( F_{nn} \) respectively. Then:

• A. \( F_{pp}>F_{pn}>F_{nn} \)
• B. \( F_{pn}>F_{nn}>F_{pp} \)
• C. \( F_{nn}>F_{pp}>F_{pn} \)
• D. \( F_{pp} = F_{pn} = F_{nn} \)

Hint:

Nuclear force is nearly the same between any two nucleons (proton or neutron) — it's charge-independent and depends only on separation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The nuclear force is a short-range, charge-independent force. This means: - It depends only on the distance between the nucleons (protons or neutrons), - And not on their charge. Hence, the strength of the nuclear force between: - two protons (\( F_{pp} \)), - a proton and a neutron (\( F_{pn} \)), and - two neutrons (\( F_{nn} \)) is approximately equal at short ranges inside the nucleus. Therefore: \[ F_{pp} = F_{pn} = F_{nn} \]