Atomic and Nuclear Structure

Abstract

The nucleus is the core of the atom and is made up of several nucleons called protons and neutrons that are held together by strong force but also have tension to fall apart by coulombic forces exerted by the protons. The individual nucleons are made up of quarks that are held together by the weak force. Mass and energy are interchangeable by E = mc² and this can be demonstrated by the nuclear binding energy that causes a mass deficit caused by the nuclear binding energy. Several factors go into determining the stability of a nucleus, including n/p ratio, nucleon pairing, and binding energy per nucleon. For the purposes of this book, the Bohr model will be used to describe electron behavior and interactions. This model uses finite energy shells with fixed binding energies. Any transition of an electron into a higher energy shell requires energy absorption (often in the form of a photon) and any transition of an electron into a lower energy shell will result in energy release, either in the form of a characteristic x-ray or in the form of an Auger electron.