Related Formula
R = R₀ A(1)/(3)$$R = R_0 A^{\frac{1}{3}}$$
ρ = Mass of NucleusVolume of Nucleus$$\rho = \frac{\text{Mass of Nucleus}}{\text{Volume of Nucleus}}$$
where,
R₀$R_0$ = empirical constant (≈ 1.2~fm$\approx 1.2\mathrm{~fm}$)
A$A$ = mass number (number of nucleons)
Core Logic
Let m$m$ be the average mass of a single nucleon (proton/neutron).
- Total mass of the nucleus M ≈ A · m$M \approx A \cdot m$
- Volume of the nucleus V = (4)/(3) π R³ = (4)/(3) π (R₀ A1/3)³ = (4)/(3) π R₀³ A$V = \frac{4}{3} \pi R^3 = \frac{4}{3} \pi \left(R_0 A^{1/3}\right)^3 = \frac{4}{3} \pi R_0^3 A$
Now, calculate the mass density ρ$\rho$:
ρ = (M)/(V) = (A · m)/((4)/(3) π R₀³ A) = (3 m)/(4π R₀³)$$\rho = \frac{M}{V} = \frac{A \cdot m}{\frac{4}{3} \pi R_0^3 A} = \frac{3 m}{4\pi R_0^3}$$
Since m$m$ and R₀$R_0$ are constant parameters, the mass density is constant and independent of A$A$.
Pattern Recognition
Sees: "Nuclear mass density representation" → Highly dense, constant.
Shortcut: Since volume V ∝ A$V \propto A$ and mass M ∝ A$M \propto A$, their ratio is constant. The density is on the order of 10¹⁷~kg/m³$10^{17}\mathrm{~kg/m}^3$, which is completely independent of the size of the specific nucleus. ✓
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Nuclear Physics