Identify the correct statements.
(A) The density of nuclear matter is independent of the size of the nucleus.
(B) Nuclear forces are charge independent and are non-central forces.
(C) The nuclides having the same mass number are called isotones.
(D) The mass of a nucleus can be less or more than the sum of the masses of nucleons present inside it.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A) and (B) only
Analysis of statements:
(A) The density of nuclear matter is independent of the size of the nucleus → True. Nuclear density is approximately constant for all nuclei.
(B) Nuclear forces are charge independent and are non-central forces → True. Strong nuclear forces act similarly between p-p, n-n, and n-p pairs and have a non-central (tensor) component.
(C) The nuclides having the same mass number are called isotones → False. Nuclides with same mass number are called isobars. Isotones have the same number of neutrons.
(D) The mass of a nucleus can be less or more than the sum of the masses of nucleons present inside it → False. Mass of a bound nucleus is always less than the sum of individual nucleon masses (mass defect).
Correct Statements: (A) and (B)