Modeling in nuclear physics: A visual approach to the limitations of the semi-empirical mass formula

Abstract

The semi-empirical mass formula (SEMF) is a phenomenological model describing nuclear binding energies with high accuracy. We present different realizations and applications of this model based on 3D-printing and animations. A central new contribution is a visualization not only of the energy landscape provided by the SEMF, but also a comparison with actual experimental data. Our visualization of this difference energy landscape reveals limitations of the phenomenological model, and at the same time shows the special importance of the so-called magic numbers which have been explained in the shell model, introduced much later than the liquid drop model. This provides an excellent opportunity to discuss limits and merits of models in general in the context of physics education.