Question

The deuteron is a bound state of a neutron and a proton. Which of the following statements is/are CORRECT?

• A. The deuteron has a finite value of electric quadrupole moment due to non-spherical electronic charge distribution
• B. The magnetic moment of the deuteron is equal to the sum of the magnetic moments of the neutron and the proton
• C. The deuteron state is an admixture of \(3S_1\) and \(3D_1\) states
• D. The deuteron state is an admixture of \(3S_1\) and \(3P_1\) states

Hint:

For the deuteron, the charge distribution is non-spherical, and the total magnetic moment is influenced by quantum mechanical interactions. The state is a combination of \(3S_1\) and \(3D_1\) states.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

- (A) The deuteron has a finite value of electric quadrupole moment due to non-spherical electronic charge distribution:
The deuteron is a bound state of a neutron and a proton. It has a quadrupole moment because the charge distribution is not spherically symmetric.
- (B) The magnetic moment of the deuteron is equal to the sum of the magnetic moments of the neutron and the proton:
The magnetic moment of the deuteron is not simply the sum of the moments of the neutron and proton, since there are additional quantum mechanical effects that influence it. Hence, this statement is incorrect.
- (C) The deuteron state is an admixture of \(3S_1\) and \(3D_1\) states:
The deuteron, being a composite particle of a neutron and a proton, exists as a mixture of \(3S_1\) and \(3D_1\) states in the wavefunction. This is correct.
- (D) The deuteron state is an admixture of \(3S_1\) and \(3P_1\) states:
This is incorrect. The correct admixture is \(3S_1\) and \(3D_1\), not \(3P_1\).