Nuclear Systematics: II. The Cradle of the Nuclides

Abstract

The nuclear energy surface is presented as three-dimensional (3-D) plots of mass or atomic number versus charge density versus average energy per nucleon. These plots reveal a trough or "cradle of the nuclides." Stable and long-lived nuclides are located in the valley. Those that are radioactive or are easily destroyed by fusion or fission occupy higher positions. Separate modes of nucleosynthesis fill the cradle from different directions and produce distinct occupancy levels, i.e., different abundance patterns. The cradle can be used to estimate the properties of nuclear matter that cannot be studied in the laboratory.

Department(s)

Chemistry

Keywords and Phrases

Article; Atomic Particle; Density; Molecular Weight; Nuclear Energy; Particle Size; Radioactivity; Synthesis; Taxonomy

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0236-5731

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2002 Springer Verlag, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Mar 2002

Share

 
COinS