In atomic nuclei, protons and neutrons are collectively known as nucleons. While electrons are known to orbit around the nucleus in specific energy levels, the behavior of nucleons within the nucleus is quite different.
The concept of nucleons "orbiting" around each other within the nucleus is not accurate in the same way that electrons orbit around the nucleus in well-defined paths. The behavior of nucleons in the nucleus is better understood through the principles of quantum mechanics.
According to quantum mechanics, nucleons are described by wave functions that represent their probabilities of being found in certain regions of space. The behavior of nucleons in the nucleus is characterized by a combination of quantum effects, including their motion, spin, and the strong nuclear force that binds them together.
The strong nuclear force is responsible for holding the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus. It is a short-range force that overcomes the electrostatic repulsion between protons. The specific arrangement of nucleons in the nucleus is determined by the interplay between the attractive strong nuclear force and the repulsive electrostatic force.
Experimental evidence supports the understanding that nucleons in the nucleus do not orbit around each other in a classical sense. Instead, they are confined within the nuclear volume due to the strong nuclear force, and their behavior is better described through quantum mechanical models and nuclear structure theories.
To study the behavior of nucleons in the nucleus, various experimental techniques, such as scattering experiments and nuclear spectroscopy, have been employed. These experiments provide valuable insights into the structure and properties of atomic nuclei, confirming the existence of nucleons and the nature of their interactions.