A nucleus of helium-4 has a measured mass that is less than the combined masses of…
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Nuclear physics · Nuclear physics
Problem
A nucleus of helium-4 has a measured mass that is less than the combined masses of two free protons and two free neutrons. Which statement best explains this observation?
(a) Some mass has been converted into binding energy that holds the nucleons together.
(b) The missing mass is simply the mass of the two orbital electrons that are not included when only the nucleus is weighed.
(c) Strong nuclear forces squeeze the nucleons so tightly that their individual masses decrease, lowering the total.
(d) Experimental uncertainties at nuclear scales are large enough that the observed deficit is due to measurement error.