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PRACTICE / Binding energy

Compare binding per constituent

A nucleus contains 12 nucleons and has nuclear mass defect 0.096 u. Use 1 u c² = 930 MeV.

Find its binding energy per nucleon.

Organize the givens & assumptions
  • Nucleon count: 12
  • Nuclear mass defect: 0.096 u
  • Use 1 u c² = 930 MeV

The stated defect already compares nuclear mass with its free protons and neutrons. No additional electron-mass correction is needed.

  1. A7.44 MeV/nucleon7.44\ \mathrm{MeV/nucleon}
  2. B89.28 MeV/nucleon89.28\ \mathrm{MeV/nucleon}
  3. C0.008 MeV/nucleon0.008\ \mathrm{MeV/nucleon}
  4. D12 MeV/nucleon12\ \mathrm{MeV/nucleon}

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