Question

Asymmetries in some partnered examples of these structures may produce a Thomas-Ehrman shift. Some three-component “halo” examples of these structures may also be “Borromean,” since removing any component makes an unbound system. On charts depicting possible examples of these structures, stability occurs between the “drip lines.” Terms proportional to A, (15[1])A to the two-thirds, and Z squared over A to the one-third quantify the volume, surface, and (*) Coulomb contributions to the energy (10[1])of these structures, according to a formula (10[1]-5[1])derived from the liquid drop model. (10[1])The mass defect of these structures is proportional to the binding energy required to separate them (10[1])into their constituent particles. For 10 points, what structures were discovered when a beam of alpha particles was deflected by a gold foil? (10[1])■END■

ANSWER: atomic nuclei [or nucleus; reject “atoms”]
<BB>
= Average correct buzz position

Back to tossups

Buzzes

PlayerTeamOpponentBuzz PositionValue
Ashvin SrivatsaEpic GamesAmartya Senpai Notice Me4915
Adam FineChicago AWUSTL7110
TaylorMojo ShojoOSU7810
Quynh PhungPurdueNorthwestern78-5
Vivek SasseChicago BMaryland B-8410
Iain CarpenterIllinois A+Michigan10010
Andrew SalijNorthwesternPurdue12310

Summary

2023 BHSU @ Northwestern02/25/2023Y6100%17%17%84.17
2023 BHSU @ Maryland03/11/2023Y3100%0%0%106.67
2023 BHSU @ Berkeley03/18/2023Y3100%0%33%100.67
2023 BHSU @ Yale04/08/2023Y3100%33%0%68.33
2023 BHSU Online04/15/2023Y4100%50%0%59.00
2023 BHSU @ Sheffield04/15/2023Y2100%0%0%84.00
2023 BHSU @ Waterloo04/15/2023Y3100%0%0%86.33