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3.2: Interpretation

  • Page ID
    15011
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    We conclude that the nucleus of mass \(m\approx A m_N\) contains \(Z\) positively charged nucleons (protons) and \(N=A-Z\) neutral nucleons (neutrons). These particles are bound together by the “nuclear force”, which changes the mass below that of free particles. We shall typically write \(^{A}\)El for an element of chemical type El, which determines \(Z\), containing \(A\) nucleons.


    This page titled 3.2: Interpretation is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Niels Walet via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.