How many times larger is the volume of the nucleus 208Pb (Z=82)compared to the nucleus 40Ca (Z=20)?
A)0.58
B)1.7
C)5.2
D)4.1
E)2.3

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The volume of a nucleus is proportional to its mass number (A), which can be approximated by the number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) it contains. For 208Pb, A = 208, and for 40Ca, A = 40. The ratio of their volumes is therefore the ratio of their mass numbers, which is 208/40 = 5.2.

How Many Times Larger Is the Volume of the Nucleus