Neutrons – Nuclear Cement
In the lighter elements the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus is the same. As the nucleus gets bigger more neutrons are needed to keep it together.
Adding another proton means that all the other nucleons feel the SNF attraction. It also means that all the other protons feel the EM repulsion.
Adding another neutron adds to the SNF attraction between the nucleons but, since it is uncharged, it does not contribute to the EM repulsion.
| Section 2 | The Weak Interaction | |
|---|---|---|
| Lesson 8 | ||
| Learning Outcomes | To be able to write the equation for alpha and beta decay | |
| To know what a neutrino is and why is must exist | ||
| To be able to state the changes in quarks during beta plus and beta minus decay | M.BENYOHAI |