Nucleons
The term nucleon refers to the particles found in the nucleus of an atom, namely protons and neutrons. A single hydrogen atom (one proton plus one electron) has a mass of 1.007825 amu. A single neutron has a mass of 1.008665 amu. Note that amu stands for "atomic mass unit" and is sometimes abbreviated with the symbol u.

Mass Defect
The total mass of the individual nucleons in an atom is always greater than the actual measured mass of the atom. The difference is called the mass defect.

Binding Energy
The mass defect of an atom corresponds to an amount of energy called the binding energy. Binding energy can be calculated using Einstein's equation, E=mc^2., where E is energy in joules, m is mass is kilograms, and c is the speed of light, 2.998times 10^8 m/s.


Part A
Calculate the mass defect of the oxygen nucleus 16 (over) 8 O. The mass of neutral 16 (over) 8 O is equal to 15.994914 atomic mass units.
Express your answer in atomic mass units to four significant figures.



Part B
Calculate the binding energy E_B of the oxygen nucleus {16}_{ 8}{O} .
Express your answer in millions of electron volts to four significant figures.
E_B =


Answer= MeV


Part C
Calculate the binding energy per nucleon of the oxygen nucleus ^{16}_{ 8}{O} .
Express your answer in millions of electron volts to four significant figures.


Answer= MeV/nucleon

Part D
Calculate the mass defect of the helium nucleus {}^{3}_{2}{He} . The mass of neutral {}^{3}_{2}{He} is given by M_{ He}=3.016029 u .
Express your answer in atomic mass units to four significant figures.


Answer= rm u


Part E
Calculate the binding energy E_B of the helium nucleus {}^{3}_{2}{He} .
Express your answer in millions of electron volts to four significant figures.
E_B =


Answer= MeV


Part F
Calculate the binding energy per nucleon of the helium nucleus {}^{3}_{2}{He} .
Express your answer in millions of electron volts to four significant figures.


Answer= MeV

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Answer Part A 00334 u Part B 756 MeV Part C 0478 MeVnucleon Part D 00169 u Part E 2829 MeV Part F 1415 MeVnucleon Explanation Part A Mass defect refer... View the full answer