Question

You know that: mass of proton (mp) = 1.007276 amu, mass of neutron (mn) = 1.008665 amu, and mass of electron (me)= 5.485799 x 10^-4 amu. Calculate the mass defect (in amu) and nuclear binding energy (in J/nucleon) for Carbon-12 (nuclear mass: 11.996708 amu)

Answer 1

Answer: mass of proton = 1.007276 amu. Mass of neutron = 1.008665 Calculated mass of Carbon-12 = (number of protons * mp)+ (number of neutrons* mn) = (6*1.007276)+(6*1.008665) = 6.043656+6.05199 = 12.095646 amu. Actual mass of Carbon-12 = 11.996708 amu. Mass defect = calculated mass of Carbon-12 - Actual mass of Carnon-12 = 12.095646 - 11.996708 = 0.098938 amu. Binding energy = (mass defect*931.5Mev) = 0.098938 * 931.5 = 92.16 Mev. Binding energy per nucleon = binding energy/atomic mass = 92.16/12 = 7.68 MeV