Modern Physics
Nuclear Radius
Nuclear radius scales as the cube root of mass number, implying constant nuclear density. R₀ ≈ 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁵ m (1.2 femtometers).
Variables
Rm
Nuclear radius
Allowed values: greater than 0
R0m
Radius constant (≈ 1.2 fm)
Allowed values: greater than 0
Aunitless
Mass number (protons + neutrons)
Allowed values: greater than 0, whole number
Derivation
Empirically determined from scattering experiments; implies nucleons are incompressible.
Your notes
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Where this formula is listed
- Modern Physics formulas, under Nuclear Physics, alongside Radioactive Decay Law, Half-Life, Activity, Alpha Decay Energy (Q-value) and Beta Decay.
- In the modern physics list it comes after Beta Decay and before Stefan-Boltzmann Law (Blackbody Form).
- Modern Physics formula sheet, one of 41 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
Common questions
What is the Nuclear Radius formula?
Nuclear Radius is written R = R₀A^(1/3). Nuclear radius scales as the cube root of mass number, implying constant nuclear density. R₀ ≈ 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁵ m (1.2 femtometers). It belongs to Modern Physics, under Nuclear Physics.
What are the units in R = R₀A^(1/3)?
In SI units, R is nuclear radius, measured in m; R₀ is radius constant (≈ 1.2 fm), measured in m; A is mass number (protons + neutrons) (dimensionless).
How is the Nuclear Radius formula derived?
Empirically determined from scattering experiments; implies nucleons are incompressible. The result is R = R₀A^(1/3).