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The Interaction Between a Neutron and a Proton and the Structure of H 3

The Interaction Between a Neutron and a Proton and the Structure of H 3 Suppose that the interaction between a neutron and a proton depends on their distance apart so as to be negligible above a certain small distance a , and yet is responsible for the mass defect of H 2 . Suppose further that the interaction between two neutrons and a proton may be compounded in the usual way from that between a neutron and a proton, the interaction between two neutrons being neglected, while there is no prohibition of a wave function symmetrical in the positions of two neutrons. Then it is shown that the mass defect of H 3 is made arbitrarily large by taking a small enough. The observed mass defect of H 3 thus provides, on the above assumptions, a lower limit for a ; and in particular rules out the possibility that the interaction may be regarded as arising from a singularity in configuration space. We conclude, in effect, that: either two neutrons repel one another by an amount not negligible compared with the attraction between a neutron and a proton; or that the wave function cannot be symmetrical in their positions; or else that the interaction between a neutron and a proton is not confined within a relative distance very small compared with 10 - 13 cm 1 . http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Physical Review American Physical Society (APS)

The Interaction Between a Neutron and a Proton and the Structure of H 3

Thomas, L.
Physical Review , Volume 47 (12) – Jun 15, 1935
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Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Copyright
© American Physical Society
DOI
10.1103/PhysRev.47.903
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Abstract

Suppose that the interaction between a neutron and a proton depends on their distance apart so as to be negligible above a certain small distance a , and yet is responsible for the mass defect of H 2 . Suppose further that the interaction between two neutrons and a proton may be compounded in the usual way from that between a neutron and a proton, the interaction between two neutrons being neglected, while there is no prohibition of a wave function symmetrical in the positions of two neutrons. Then it is shown that the mass defect of H 3 is made arbitrarily large by taking a small enough. The observed mass defect of H 3 thus provides, on the above assumptions, a lower limit for a ; and in particular rules out the possibility that the interaction may be regarded as arising from a singularity in configuration space. We conclude, in effect, that: either two neutrons repel one another by an amount not negligible compared with the attraction between a neutron and a proton; or that the wave function cannot be symmetrical in their positions; or else that the interaction between a neutron and a proton is not confined within a relative distance very small compared with 10 - 13 cm 1 .

Journal

Physical Review – American Physical Society (APS)

Published: Jun 15, 1935

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