Atom centers {nucleus, atom}| have protons and neutrons.
ratio
In the most-massive atoms, neutron number can be up to 1.5 times proton number. In light atoms, neutron number equals proton number.
alpha particles
Light nuclei have alpha particles.
layers
Nuclei lighter than aluminum have no interior and no special surface. Heavier nuclei have surface neutron layer.
shape
Most atomic nuclei are spherical, but some are ellipsoids. If outer shell fills, nucleus is spherical. If outer shell is half-filled, nucleus is ellipsoidal. Spherical and ellipsoidal nuclei can rotate, but other shapes oscillate.
force
Strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons in nuclear orbits, against electric force repulsions.
force: particle speed
Protons and neutrons have speed 6 x 10^7 meters per second.
force: orbit
Protons have orbits, and neutrons have orbits. Orbits have shells, angular momenta, orientations, and spins.
models
Atomic nuclei can be like charged drops {liquid drop model}, with charge spread evenly throughout. Nuclei can be like radial fields from nucleus center {shell model}.
Physical Sciences>Physics>Matter>Atom>Nucleus
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Date Modified: 2022.0224