Join WhatsApp Icon JEE WhatsApp Group
Question 44

For a nucleus of mass number A and radius R, the mass density of nucleus can be represented as

The nucleus is assumed to be a uniform solid sphere.

Radius-mass number relation:
Experimental data give $$R = R_0\,A^{1/3}$$, where $$R_0 \approx 1.2 \times 10^{-15}\,\text{m}$$.

Volume of the nucleus:
$$V = \frac{4}{3}\pi R^{3}$$

Substitute $$R = R_0\,A^{1/3}$$:
$$V = \frac{4}{3}\pi \left(R_0\,A^{1/3}\right)^{3} = \frac{4}{3}\pi R_0^{3}\,A$$ $$-(1)$$

Mass of the nucleus:
Each nucleon (proton or neutron) has nearly the same mass $$m_N$$, so for mass number $$A$$ the nuclear mass is approximately
$$M \approx A\,m_N$$ $$-(2)$$

Nuclear mass density $$\rho$$ is defined as mass per unit volume:
$$\rho = \frac{M}{V}$$

Insert $$(1)$$ and $$(2)$$:
$$\rho = \frac{A\,m_N}{\dfrac{4}{3}\pi R_0^{3}\,A} = \frac{3\,m_N}{4\pi R_0^{3}}$$

The factor $$A$$ cancels out; therefore $$\rho$$ does not depend on the mass number $$A$$.

Hence, the nuclear mass density is independent of A.

Correct option: Option D.

Get AI Help

Create a FREE account and get:

  • Free JEE Mains Previous Papers PDF
  • Take JEE Mains paper tests

50,000+ JEE Students Trusted Our Score Calculator

Predict your JEE Main percentile, rank & performance in seconds

Ask AI

Ask our AI anything

AI can make mistakes. Please verify important information.