Two nuclei have mass numbers in the ratio 1 : 8. The ratio of their nuclear radii would be:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → 1 : 2
The radius of a nucleus of mass number A is given by the empirical relation \( R = R_0A^{1/3} \), with \( R_0 \) the same constant for all nuclei, so \( R\propto A^{1/3} \).
\( \displaystyle \frac{R_1}{R_2} = \left(\frac{A_1}{A_2}\right)^{1/3} = \left(\frac{1}{8}\right)^{1/3} = \frac{1}{2} \)