High-energy gamma ray photons can remove nucleons from nuclei in a process called the photonuclear effect. This is a process analogous to the photoelectric effect in atoms (see Section 27.2).
(a) If you wanted to remove a single neutron from a nucleus, which of the following nuclei would likely require the higher energy photon: (1) 12C; (2) 13C; or (3) the energies would be about the same? Explain your reasoning.
(b) Calculate the minimum energy of a photon required to eject a neutron from each of the two isotopes in part (a), neglecting any kinetic energy of the neutron or resulting nucleus.
(c) Determine the wavelengths of the light associated with the photons in part (b).
(d) Explain why the actual minimum energy in part (b) is higher than your result.