Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]PhysicsThe Nucleus
In a lithium vapour at room temperature, two lithium nuclei do not combine to form a carbon nucleus because
Options
- ACoulomb repulsion prevents the nuclei from coming very close
- Ba carbon nucleus is an unstable particle
- Ca lithium nucleus is bound more tightly than a carbon nucleus
- Dthe process is not energetically favourable
Correct answer
A. Coulomb repulsion prevents the nuclei from coming very close
Step-by-step solution
At room temperature, the thermal kinetic energy of lithium nuclei is very small (of the order of kT ). For two lithium nuclei to fuse and form a carbon nucleus, they must approach each other within the range of the strong nuclear force (approximately 10⁻¹⁵ m). Since both lithium nuclei are positively charged, they experience a strong electrostatic (Coulomb) repulsion. The kinetic energy at room temperature is completely insufficient to overcome this Coulomb barrier, preventing the nuclei from coming close enough to