Two isotopes of the same element are given

PHYSICS · Single correct · CBSE · Physics · Nuclei · Nuclei

Problem

Two isotopes of the same element are given. Nucleus

^{12}\!X

has a mass of

11.996\,\text{u}

while

^{14}\!X

has a mass of

13.983\,\text{u}

. Which of the following conclusions is correct? (Masses of a free proton and neutron are

1.007276\,\text{u}

and

1.008665\,\text{u}

respectively.) (a)

^{12}\!X

has the larger binding energy per nucleon because its mass per nucleon is smaller (b)

^{14}\!X

has the larger total binding energy, but its binding energy per nucleon is smaller (c)

^{14}\!X

has the larger binding energy per nucleon because its mass defect per nucleon is larger (d) The information is insufficient to decide since electron masses have not been taken into account

Related theory

Nuclear Binding Energy
Mass defect and binding energy
Nuclear physics
Mass energy equivalence
Nuclei

Browse the problem library