The size of an atomic nucleus is of the order of 10⁻¹⁵ meters, also known as 1 femtometer (1 fm).
Detailed Explanation:
- The nucleus is extremely small compared to the atom.
- Typical nuclear radius is given by the formula:
R = R₀ A^(1/3)
where:
- R₀ ≈ 1.2–1.3 × 10⁻¹⁵ m
- A = mass number (number of nucleons)
Order of Magnitude:
- Nuclear size ≈ 10⁻¹⁵ m
- Atomic size ≈ 10⁻¹⁰ m
This means:
- The atom is about 100,000 times larger than the nucleus.
Key Insight:
- Most of the atom is empty space
- Almost all the mass is concentrated in the nucleus
Conclusion:
The size of a nucleus is in the order of 10⁻¹⁵ meters (femtometer scale), making it extremely small compared to the overall size of an atom.