Chapter 19, Problem 19.16QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The binding energy per nucleon of a ${}_{}^{12}\text{C}$ for the given nuclear mass is to be calculated.

Concept introduction: Mass defect is calculated by the formula,

$\text{Mass}\text{defect}=\left(\left(\begin{array}{l}\text{Number}\text{of}\text{protons}\times \text{Mass}\text{of}\text{proton}\\ +\text{Number}\text{of}\text{neutrons}\times \text{Mass}\text{of}\text{neutron}\end{array}\right)-\text{Mass}\text{of}\text{the}\text{atom}\right)$

The binding energy is given by the formula,

$\text{Binding}\text{energy}=\text{Mass}\text{defect}\times {\left(\text{Speed}\text{of}\text{light}\right)}^2$

To determine: The binding energy per nucleon of a ${}_{}^{12}\text{C}$.