The correct answer is 3) Protons attract the particles, while neutrons do not.
The motion of alpha particles is influenced by the electromagnetic force, which is responsible for the attraction or repulsion between charged particles. The positively charged protons in the nucleus attract the alpha particles, while the electrically neutral neutrons do not exert any significant force on the alpha particles. Therefore, when the nucleus has more protons and fewer neutrons, there are more positive charges to attract the alpha particles, leading to a stronger binding force between them. This results in the alpha particles not being able to get as close to the nucleus compared to when the nucleus has more neutrons and fewer protons.
A simulation at the nuclear level has nuclei with 20 protons and 100 neutrons. Alpha particles can get very close to the nuclei. When the nuclei have 100 protons and 20 neutrons, the alpha particles cannot get as close to the nuclei. The nucleus is the same size in both scenarios. Why does the motion of the alpha particles differ?
1) Neutrons repel the particles, while protons do not.
2) Neutrons attract the particles, while protons do not.
3) Protons attract the particles, while neutrons do not.
4) Protons repel the particles, while neutrons do not.
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