The experimental nuclear mass of is

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Nuclear physics · Nuclear physics

Problem

The experimental nuclear mass of   92238U^{238}_{\;92}\mathrm U is 238.050788 u238.050788\,\text{u}. Given • Z=92Z = 92, A=238A = 238 • mp=1.007276 um_p = 1.007276\,\text{u}, • mn=1.008665 um_n = 1.008665\,\text{u}, • 1 u=931.5 MeV/c21\,\text{u} = 931.5\,\text{MeV}/c^{2}, • Avogadro number NA=6.02×1023 mol−1N_A = 6.02 \times 10^{23}\,\text{mol}^{-1}, answer the following questions. (i) Compute the mass defect of a single   92238U^{238}_{\;92}\mathrm U nucleus in atomic mass units. (ii) Determine the corresponding binding energy in MeV per nucleus. (iii) Convert the binding energy obtained in part (ii) to joules. (iv) If 1.0 kg1.0\,\text{kg} of   92238U^{238}_{\;92}\mathrm U could be completely broken into its separate protons and neutrons, calculate the total energy required in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

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