(Helium nucleus) The nucleus of the helium-4 isotope contains two protons and two neutrons

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

Problem

(Helium nucleus) The nucleus of the helium-4 isotope contains two protons and two neutrons. The following data are given: • mass of a proton = 1.007276 u • mass of a neutron = 1.008665 u • mass of a helium-4 nucleus = 4.002603 u • 1 u corresponds to 931.5 MeV of energy Answer the following: (i) Calculate the mass defect of the helium-4 nucleus in atomic mass units (u). (ii) Determine the total binding energy of the helium-4 nucleus in MeV. (iii) Find the binding energy per nucleon of helium-4 in MeV.

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