Question

According to Yukawa’s theory of nuclear forces, the origin of nuclear force between nucleons is due to the exchange of:
1. mesons
2. photons
3. electrons
4. None of these

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : mesons

CONCEPT:

Yukawa’s theory of nuclear forces

• A little over 50 years ago, Hideki Yukawa, a young Japanese theoretical physicist at the University of Osaka, proposed a fundamental theory of nuclear forces involving the exchange of massive charged particles between neutrons and protons.
• He called the exchanged particles “heavy quanta” to distinguish them from the light quanta of the electromagnetic field, but now they are known as pions,  the lightest members of a large family of particles called mesons.

EXPLANATION:

• According to Yukawa’s theory of nuclear forces, the origin of nuclear force between nucleons is due to the exchange of mesons.
• Hence, option 1 is correct.