Question

Calculate the nuclear binding energy in mega-electronvolts (MeV) per nucleon for Th232. Th232 has a nuclear mass of 232.038 amu.

Answer 1

1720 MeV

Step-by-step explanation:

Thorium has 90 protons and 142 neutrons

The mass of each proton is 1.007277 amu

The mass of each neutron is 1.008665 amu

The mass of 90 protons is 90 * 1.007277 amu = 90.65493 amu

The mass of 142 neutrons is 142 * 1.008665 amu = 143.23043 amu

Total calculated mass of nucleons = 90.65493 amu + 143.23043 amu = 233.88536

Mass defect = 233.88536 amu - 232.038 amu = 1.84736 amu

We convert from amu to MeV using the conversion factor of 931

Binding energy = 1.84736 amu * 931 = 1720 MeV