Atomic Nuclei Structures

Does the Atomic Nucleus Have a Lattice Structure?

The structure of the atomic nucleus had been extensively discussed since its discovery in the early 20th century. A range of different types of structures have been proposed, including gaseous, liquid, molecular cluster, solid lattice and composite types.

Solid lattice proposals to date have included different packing configurations, generally either face centred cubic (Wigner, 1937, Everling, 1958, Lezuo, 1974, Cook, 1976) or simple cubic packing (Bauer, 1985, Meissner, 2008).

Solid lattice structures have clearly shown promise, but to date limitations in data, analysis methods and models have not allowed a complete solid lattice based structural model to be developed.

Proposed Lattice Structure

Nucleus structures have been developed based on proposed non-homogenious structures for nucleons and the proposal that nuclei are comprised of nucleon composites in addition to single nucleons.

A body centred cubic packing configuration is consistent with geometries identified for neutrons and nucleon composites.

The new recognition that electron bonding configurations originate in the nucleus provides further information on possible nucleus structures.

Structures are developed by recognising that elemental patterns identified in chemistry have their basis in the nucleus. As a consequence, nucleus packing configurations and preferencing is expected to have similar patterns to chemical elements.

Structures are alpha particle based, with nucleons composite containing upto 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Partly filled composites are also possible, (2p, 1n), (1p, 2n), (1p, 1n) and 2n.

Shells based configurations are proposed, with lattice based geometries for each shell being identified.

Shells are identified as:

(i) Inner "s" shell, 1 composite,
(ii) "p" shell, 8 composites, in a 2x2 cubic arrangement,
(ii) "d" shell, 18 composites, forming a truncated 3x3 cubic arrangement, 12 edges, 6 face-centred,
(iv) "f" shell, 32 composites, forming a 5x5 truncated cubic arrangement, 6x4 face-centred, 8 at corners,

i.e. for Radon:

86 = 27x2+32 = 1x2 (s) + 8x2 (p) + 18x2(d) + 6x4x1 + 8x1,

(v) outer shell, 50 or more neutrons, cubic, with truncated corners and edges, 12 edges, 5x6 face centred, 8 at corners,

Generally each shell is firstly fully filled with individual nucleons, then with (1p, 1n) composites, before final filling to (2p, 2n).

Simple Cubic Packing Arrangement

Body Centred Cubic Packing

Noble (Inert) Gases

Noble (inert) gases are unique as they form almost no chemical compounds with other elements. The proposed magnetic bonding relationship between chemical bonding orientations and nuclei structures suggests a special symmetry for Noble gas nuclei.

Proposed nuclei structures are generally similar to geometries proposed by Cook (1978), but incorporate composites of up to four nucleons, and are based on body centred cubic rather than face centred cubic packing.

Proposed structures are unique as they have no external north poles, allowing minimal opportunity for bond formation beyond basic dimers (He₂, Ne₂, Ar₂, etc.).

Neon 20

Hydrogen 2

Helium 4

s: 2p, 2n

s: 1p, 1n

s: 2p, 2n

p: 1p, 1n

Note: Deuterium is not classified

as a Noble gas.

Xenon 136

Argon 36

Krypton 86

s: 2p, 2n

d: 2p,2n

s: 2p, 2n

d: 1p,1n

p: 2p, 2n

f: 1n

p: 2p, 2n

f: 1n

Radon 222

Oganesson 294

s: 2p, 2n

d: 2p,2n

s: 2p, 2n

d: 2p, 2n

p: 2p, 2n

f: 1p, 1n

p: 2p, 2n

f: 2p, 2n

Note: Four atoms detected to date.

Alkali Metals (Group I)

Viable structures for Group I structures can be developed, based on these modelling principles.

Group I elements are unique as they highly electropositive, forming ionic bonds and crystaline salts with electronegative elements.

Proposed nucleus structures for various Group I element nuclei are shown below:

Sodium 23

Lithium 6

Lithium 7

Potassium 41

Potassium 39

Potassium 40

Cesium 133

Rubidium 85

Rubidium 87

Alkaline Earth Metals (Group II)

Group II elements are typically metals, forming two metallic, two covalent or one double bonds to adjacent atoms.

Proposed nuclei structures are shown below:

Beryllium 9

Magnesium 24

Magnesium 25

Magnesium 26

Calcium 40

Calcium 42

Calcium 43

Calcium 44

Calcium 46

Strontium 84

Strontium 86

Strontium 87

Strontium 88

Barium 132

Barium 134

Barium 136

Barium 138

Radium 226

Halogens

Halogens are highly electronegative elements, forming ionic and covalently bonded compounds, typically with electro positive elements, such as alkali metals (Group I), alkaline earth metals (Group II) and other metals.

Fluorine 19

Chlorine 35

Chlorine 37

Bromine 79

Bromine 81

Iodine 127

Transition Metals

Nuclei structures for elements of the first transition metal series are based around a central alpha group, a cubic structure of 8 additional alpha groups, then additional composites being added at cube faces.

Scandium 45

Titanium 46

Titanium 47

2p, 2n at centre

Titanium 48

Titanium 49

Titanium 50

2p, 2n at centre

2p, 2n at centre

Vanadium 50

Vanadium 51

Manganese 53

2p, 2n at centre

1p, 1n at centre

2p at centre

Manganese 55

Iron 54

Iron 56

1p, 2n at centre

2p, 2n at centre

2p at centre

Iron 57

Iron 58

Cobalt 59

1p,2n at centre

2p,2n at centre

Nickel 58

Nickel 60

Nickel 61

2p,2n at centre

2p at centre

2p,2n at centre

Nickel 62

Nickel 64

Copper 63

2p,2n at centre

2p,2n at centre

1p,2n at centre

Copper 65

Zinc 64

Zinc 66

1p,2n at centre

2p,2n at centre

Zinc 67

Zinc 68

Zinc 70

2p,2n at centre

2p,2n at centre

2p,2n at centre

Other Atomic Nuclei

Viable nuclei structures can be developed for other atomic nuclei with geometries that are appear consistent with relative isotope stabilities, isotopic abundances and observed chemical properties.

Examples include:

Boron 10

Boron 11

Carbon 12