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 point)

Question

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 point)
Responses

Neutrons attract the particles, while protons do not.
Neutrons attract the particles, while protons do not.

Neutrons repel the particles, while protons do not.
Neutrons repel the particles, while protons do not.

Protons attract the particles, while neutrons do not.
Protons attract the particles, while neutrons do not.

Protons repel the particles, while neutrons do not.

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The correct response is: **Protons repel the particles, while neutrons do not.** In the first scenario with 20 protons and 100 neutrons, the alpha particles can get close because the strong nuclear force, primarily between neutrons and protons, can allow for some interaction, while the repulsive electric force due to the protons does not dominate as much due to the large number of neutrons. In the second scenario with 100 protons and 20 neutrons, the increased number of protons leads to a stronger repulsion between the positively charged alpha particles and the nucleus, thereby preventing the alpha particles from approaching as closely. Neutrons do not contribute to any electromagnetic repulsion since they are neutral.