Question

An atomic nucleus can be crudely modeled as a gas of nucleons with a number density of 0.18 fm-3 (where 1 fm = 10-15 m). Because nucleons come in two different types (protons and neutrons), each with spin 1/2, each spatial wavefunction can hold four nucleons. (a) [10 pts] Calculate the Fermi energy εF of this system, in MeV. Also calculate the Fermi temperature TF. Is it reasonable to treat the nucleus as a degenerate Fermi gas at room temperature? (b) [10 pts] Calculate the degeneracy pressure of the nucleus. What keeps the nucleus from blowing apart due to this degeneracy pressure?

Answer 1