Droplet Model

The Droplet Model is a way scientists imagine an atomic nucleus as a small, charged liquid drop. It helps explain how protons and neutrons are arranged and interact inside the nucleus. Like a droplet of water, the nucleus has a surface, volume, and surface tension, which influence its stability and behavior. This model accounts for phenomena such as nuclear binding energy and isotopic differences, providing a useful framework for understanding nuclear reactions and properties without getting into complex quantum mechanics. Essentially, it treats the nucleus as a tiny, interacting liquid drop to better predict and analyze its characteristics.