Coulomb repulsion affects nucleon binding energies. Let Eₚ be the binding energy of a proton and Eₙ the binding energy of a neutron in a nucleus of mass number A and atomic number Z. Select the correct statements.
Select all that apply

Question

Coulomb repulsion affects nucleon binding energies. Let Eₚ be the binding energy of a proton and Eₙ the binding energy of a neutron in a nucleus of mass number A and atomic number Z. Select the correct statements.

Select all that apply

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

The proton experiences an additional Coulomb-repulsion contribution that the neutron does not. For a uniformly charged nucleus this Coulomb term scales with Z(Z−1)/R and R ∝ A¹ᐟ³, so the relevant difference carries the Z(Z−1) and A⁻¹ᐟ³ dependences. Applying the sign convention used in the source gives the keyed correct statements A, B and D.