The neutral helium atom, , has a mass of 4.002603 u, a neutron has a mass of 1.008665 u, a proton has a mass of 1.007277 u, and a neutral hydrogen atom has a mass of 1.007825 u. What is the binding energy of the nucleus? 1 u = 931.494 MeV/c².

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mass deficit can be calculated as follows:

4.002603 u - 2(1.008665 u + 1.007277 u) - 1.007825 u = 0.030331 u

The binding energy can then be calculated using the mass-energy equivalence formula:

E = (0.030331 u)(931.494 MeV/c^2/u) = 28.28 MeV

Rounding to the nearest tenth gives us the final answer of 28.3 MeV, which corresponds to choice D.

The Neutral Helium Atom, , Has a Mass of 4.002603