Question

Calculate the binding energy of the  26 56 Fe nucleus, given that the isotope has an atomic mass of 55.9349 u. *Give your answer in units of MeV.

Answer 1

First, we find the mass defect

m = Mass of 26 protons + Mass of 30 neutrons - Mass of 26​Fe56 nucleus

m = (26 * 1.007825) + ( 30 * 1.008665) - 55.9349

m = 0.5284 u

so,

E = m * 931.5 MeV / u

E = 492.26 MeV ( This is total binding energy)

_________________

E = 8.79 MeV / Nucleon ( This is binding energy per nucleon)