Modelling a Neutron Star
The Liquid Drop model was the first formula designed to compute the binding energies of nuclei as a function of the number of protons (Z), neutrons (N) and total number of nucleons (A). The equation looks quite complicated as it has five terms:
Each of the five terms has a numerical coefficient in front: aV, aS, aC, aA and aP.
By working through the activities that follow, you will be able explore the different coefficients, see some of the uses of the formula, and use it to predict the size of neutron stars.