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What is the source of energy when protons and neutrons of an atom are forced together?
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Do nucleons hold protons together in the nucleus?
Yes, the protons help hold an atomic nucleus together. Let's look at things and figure this one out. Protons are positively charged, as you know, and like charges repel. That's basic electrostatics. The Coulomb forces of the protons push them away from each other. Further, when protons are packed into an atomic nucleus, they're still pushing away from each other. Let's consider what happens when an atomic nucleus forms. The term nucleon is how we refer to protons and neutrons when they are used as building blocks of an atomic nucleus. And the nucleons all undergo what is called mass deficit when that atomic nucleus if forced together in nuclear fusion. All the nucleons lose some mass during the fusion process, and this mass is converted into nuclear binding energy. The nuclear binding energy is also called nuclear glue, or residual strong interaction (residual strong force). And it is this force that overcomes the repulsive force of the protons, and it keeps the nucleus together. It turns out that both the protons and neutrons are involved in the "magic" that holds the nucleus together, as we've seen. Certainly the protons cannot do it by themselves, and the neutrons are necessary. But the protons have to give up some mass as well so that residual strong force can appear and mediate the fusion process that holds the nucleus together. It's really that simple.
Why does some elements have more isotopes than others?
Radioactivity stems from the instability of the nucleus of a given atom. Remember that in an atomic nucleus, protons and neutrons are held together with nuclear glue or binding energy (1H being the exception). Protons don't like each other to begin with. But under the most extraordinary conditions (like in a star), protons and neutrons can be forced together and fused (fusion) to create more complex nuclei. And in a supernova, elements heavier than iron (the heaviest "regular" element that a star makes during "normal" fusion) are created. In all this "creativity" and among all the products that result, some atomic nuclei that are formed aren't really happy with their arrangement. They are unstable, and at some time in the future they will spontaneously break apart. In some arrangements of nucleons (the particles that make up an atomic nucleus, the protons and neutrons), the ratio of the two types of particles, the ratio of protons to neutrons, is one that "strains" the combinational power that holds them together and other arrangements are possible. It is the number and type of nucleons that make up a nucleus that determines how stable it is. There are many stable nuclei. There are many combinations that are not possible - they will never form, they cannot form - and then there are the unstable nuclei. The different numbers of protons and neutrons that make up a nucleus make for a different "dynamic" in each atomic nucleus in which they are confined. Some are structures that will stay together, and in some of the structures formed, the nucleons can "shift" and break the structure of the nucleus, thereby allowing the nucleons to move to a lower energy level state. In radioactive decay, a shift in the nuclear structure and the release of a particle (or particles) and/or energy, allows the remaining nucleons to "rewrite" the terms and conditions of their "confinement" in the nucleus. This spontaneous transition is what radioactive decay is. The possibilities are why some nuclei are stable and some are not, and why some are more stable than others. It is impossible to say when any given unstable atom will decay, but over a large number of them, an "avarage" rate of decay can be quantified. That will allow us to know the half life of that radionuclide.
Why are there only neutrons in a neutron star?
Neutron stars are extremely dense remnants of stellar explosions. The intense gravitational forces in a neutron star compress the atomic nuclei to such an extent that electrons are forced into the nuclei, combining with protons to form neutrons. This results in a star composed almost entirely of neutrons.
How is nuclear energy created?
Nuclear energy is produced by one of two methods, fusion or fission. Fusion is the bonding of atomic nuclei or nuclear particles (nucleons - protons and neutrons). Fission, on the other hand is the splitting of the atom. As the atoms fuse or split they release energy. Lots of it. And most of it is heat energy. In nuclear weapons, the energy is released "all at once" to create a blast. If the energy is released in a "controlled" way, we can release heat at a "useable" rate and apply it to boiling water to make steam. In fusion, protons or neutrons or the nuclei of atoms are forced together and are fused to make a new atomic nucleus. The release of lots and lots of energy accompanies this reaction. That's what powers stars. Currently we can't really do any fusion reactions to make useful power. There are a few agencies working on fusion devices, but the high temperatures required to attain fusion require very special materials and controls. The current "state of the art" fusion facility is the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (and a link is provided). Fusion is unlikely to become a useful source of power for many years. But what about fission? Nuclear fission involves the splitting of large atoms, usually uranium (or sometimes plutonium). When large atoms fission they produce two smaller atoms or fission fragments (and a couple of neutrons and lots of energy). The total mass of the products is less than the mass of the original atom. This mass difference is turned into energy in accordance with the Einstein equation E=mc2. Most of the energy appears in the recoil of the fission fragments, and the heat that is generated is considerable. It is that heat that we capture to turn water into steam to generate electricity. Links are provided to related articles.
Is cohesion and adhesion the same?
No, Cohesion is when like particles are forced together by the molecular forces. Adhesion is when unlike particles are forced together by molecular force
Which happens on the sun fission or fusion?
The nuclear reaction within the Sun is fusion. Four hydrogen nuclei (four protons) are forced together under the intense pressure present to form a helium nucleus (two protons and two neutrons). The neutrons are formed from protons by the weak interaction. The resulting loss of mass is accompanied with a release in binding energy, which drives the cycle and emits tremendous radiation energy.
Why are atoms forced together as a solid within the core?
The strong nuclear force forces the neutrons and protons to " stick " to one another in the nucleus.
A collapsing star in which the nuclei cannot be forced together any more?
A neutron star! A neutron star is actually just a great bundle of neutrons (remember the atom: proton +, electron -, and neutron no charge). As a great star (about 8x the mass of the sun) collapses in upon its own weight after running out of fuel, it literally has enough energy to force the electrons and protons together to form neutrons.
Do nucleons hold protons together in the nucleus?
Yes, the protons help hold an atomic nucleus together. Let's look at things and figure this one out. Protons are positively charged, as you know, and like charges repel. That's basic electrostatics. The Coulomb forces of the protons push them away from each other. Further, when protons are packed into an atomic nucleus, they're still pushing away from each other. Let's consider what happens when an atomic nucleus forms. The term nucleon is how we refer to protons and neutrons when they are used as building blocks of an atomic nucleus. And the nucleons all undergo what is called mass deficit when that atomic nucleus if forced together in nuclear fusion. All the nucleons lose some mass during the fusion process, and this mass is converted into nuclear binding energy. The nuclear binding energy is also called nuclear glue, or residual strong interaction (residual strong force). And it is this force that overcomes the repulsive force of the protons, and it keeps the nucleus together. It turns out that both the protons and neutrons are involved in the "magic" that holds the nucleus together, as we've seen. Certainly the protons cannot do it by themselves, and the neutrons are necessary. But the protons have to give up some mass as well so that residual strong force can appear and mediate the fusion process that holds the nucleus together. It's really that simple.
Nuclear reactions convert what into energy?
In a Nuclear reaction, an atom of one element changes into another element or into an isotope of the first one, depending on what sort of radioactive decay it undergoes. The Nucleus of every atom contains Neutrons and Protons. All the Protons being positively charged repel each other. Hence a large Nuclear Force called Binding Force acts on all the protons and keeps them forced into the Nucleus. When the number of protons in the nucleus decreases due to a Nuclear reaction, the amount of force needed to hold all the protons in the Nucleus decreases. The remaining force is given out as heat energy.
What reaction requires the highest temperature?
Nuclear fusion reactions. This is where an atomic nucleus (or neutrons/protons) are forced together with another nucleus to form a heavier nucleus (a new and heavier element). this needs a huge amount of energy (temperature), but when it is achieved, a large amount of energy is then released. This is what happens in the sun, hydrogen is fused together to form helium, releasing a large amount of solar energy in the process. Some heavier elements can be made in the same way, but require even more energy. The heaviest elements such as gold, Uranium, molybdenum Niobium etc.. can only be created when a very large star explodes as a super nova.
Why does some elements have more isotopes than others?
Radioactivity stems from the instability of the nucleus of a given atom. Remember that in an atomic nucleus, protons and neutrons are held together with nuclear glue or binding energy (1H being the exception). Protons don't like each other to begin with. But under the most extraordinary conditions (like in a star), protons and neutrons can be forced together and fused (fusion) to create more complex nuclei. And in a supernova, elements heavier than iron (the heaviest "regular" element that a star makes during "normal" fusion) are created. In all this "creativity" and among all the products that result, some atomic nuclei that are formed aren't really happy with their arrangement. They are unstable, and at some time in the future they will spontaneously break apart. In some arrangements of nucleons (the particles that make up an atomic nucleus, the protons and neutrons), the ratio of the two types of particles, the ratio of protons to neutrons, is one that "strains" the combinational power that holds them together and other arrangements are possible. It is the number and type of nucleons that make up a nucleus that determines how stable it is. There are many stable nuclei. There are many combinations that are not possible - they will never form, they cannot form - and then there are the unstable nuclei. The different numbers of protons and neutrons that make up a nucleus make for a different "dynamic" in each atomic nucleus in which they are confined. Some are structures that will stay together, and in some of the structures formed, the nucleons can "shift" and break the structure of the nucleus, thereby allowing the nucleons to move to a lower energy level state. In radioactive decay, a shift in the nuclear structure and the release of a particle (or particles) and/or energy, allows the remaining nucleons to "rewrite" the terms and conditions of their "confinement" in the nucleus. This spontaneous transition is what radioactive decay is. The possibilities are why some nuclei are stable and some are not, and why some are more stable than others. It is impossible to say when any given unstable atom will decay, but over a large number of them, an "avarage" rate of decay can be quantified. That will allow us to know the half life of that radionuclide.
Why are there only neutrons in a neutron star?
Neutron stars are extremely dense remnants of stellar explosions. The intense gravitational forces in a neutron star compress the atomic nuclei to such an extent that electrons are forced into the nuclei, combining with protons to form neutrons. This results in a star composed almost entirely of neutrons.
What is released when a proton and electron are forced together?
This is called inverse beta decay and it forms a neutron. Normally a neutron will decay into a proton and electron, but the opposite will happen given enough energy. Coincidentally, this is how neutron stars are formed (the immense pressure from gravity overcomes the force separating protons and electrons.)
How is nuclear energy created?
Nuclear energy is produced by one of two methods, fusion or fission. Fusion is the bonding of atomic nuclei or nuclear particles (nucleons - protons and neutrons). Fission, on the other hand is the splitting of the atom. As the atoms fuse or split they release energy. Lots of it. And most of it is heat energy. In nuclear weapons, the energy is released "all at once" to create a blast. If the energy is released in a "controlled" way, we can release heat at a "useable" rate and apply it to boiling water to make steam. In fusion, protons or neutrons or the nuclei of atoms are forced together and are fused to make a new atomic nucleus. The release of lots and lots of energy accompanies this reaction. That's what powers stars. Currently we can't really do any fusion reactions to make useful power. There are a few agencies working on fusion devices, but the high temperatures required to attain fusion require very special materials and controls. The current "state of the art" fusion facility is the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (and a link is provided). Fusion is unlikely to become a useful source of power for many years. But what about fission? Nuclear fission involves the splitting of large atoms, usually uranium (or sometimes plutonium). When large atoms fission they produce two smaller atoms or fission fragments (and a couple of neutrons and lots of energy). The total mass of the products is less than the mass of the original atom. This mass difference is turned into energy in accordance with the Einstein equation E=mc2. Most of the energy appears in the recoil of the fission fragments, and the heat that is generated is considerable. It is that heat that we capture to turn water into steam to generate electricity. Links are provided to related articles.
When During nuclear fusion atoms of one element are forced together to form another element and radiated energy?
truuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeee
What is nuclear fusion in the Sun?
This is the fusing of hydrogen atoms to form helium atoms, and in some cases heavier elements as well. The dominant reaction in our Sun is the combining of hydrogen isotope atoms to form helium atoms. Deuterium atoms, which are hydrogen atoms which have a neutron, are forced together to form a helium atom, which is two protons and two neutrons, and some energy is produced. The Sun is slowing using up its supply of hydrogen, but there is enough to last for at least another two or three billion years.
