The atomic mass of the deuteron (the nucleus of the deuterium atom), which consists of a proton (mass 1.007825 u) and a neutron (mass 1.007825 u), is 2.014102 u. The binding energy of the deuteron is
A) 2.224 J.
B) 2.224 keV.
C) 2.224 MeV.
D) 3.754 keV.
E) 3.754 MeV.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The binding energy can be calculated using the mass defect, which is the difference between the sum of the masses of the constituent particles (proton and neutron) and the mass of the deuteron. The mass defect is (1.007825 u + 1.007825 u) - 2.014102 u = 0.001548 u. Converting this mass defect into energy using Einstein's equation E=mc^2 and the conversion factor 1 u = 931.5 MeV/c^2, we get 0.001548 u * 931.5 MeV/u ≈ 2.224 MeV.

The Atomic Mass of the Deuteron (The Nucleus of the Deuterium