The nuclear mass of is

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

Problem

The nuclear mass of 16 ⁣O^{16}\!\text{O} is 15.994 91 u15.994\,91\,\text{u}. Using the data below, calculate its average binding energy per nucleon correct to three significant figures. • Mass of a proton =1.007 276 u=1.007\,276\,\text{u} • Mass of a neutron =1.008 665 u=1.008\,665\,\text{u} • 1 u=931.5 MeV1\,\text{u}=931.5\,\text{MeV} (i) Find the mass defect of a single 16 ⁣O^{16}\!\text{O} nucleus. (ii) Determine the total binding energy of the nucleus. (iii) Hence compute the binding energy per nucleon, expressing the final answer to three significant figures.

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