The nucleus contains 8 protons and 8 neutrons

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

Problem

The nucleus

^{16}_{\;\;8}\mathrm O

contains 8 protons and 8 neutrons. The following data are given: • Rest mass of a proton

m_p = 1.007276\,\text{u}

• Rest mass of a neutron

m_n = 1.008665\,\text{u}

• Experimental mass of the

^{16}_{\;\;8}\mathrm O

nucleus

M_{\text{nuc}} = 15.9920\,\text{u}

(Atomic mass unit:

1\,\text{u} = 931.5\,\text{MeV}/c^{2}

.) (i) Calculate the mass defect of the

^{16}_{\;\;8}\mathrm O

nucleus in atomic mass units. (ii) Determine the total binding energy of the nucleus in MeV. (iii) Find the binding energy per nucleon for this nucleus.

Related theory

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

Browse the problem library