The measured total binding energy of a nucleus ᴬZX is 492 MeV. The total binding energy of the isotope (A−1)ZX obtained by removing one neutron is 484 MeV. If the neutron separation energy is N MeV, find N.
Physics · Nuclear physics · radioactivity and law of decay
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Question

The measured total binding energy of a nucleus ᴬZX is 492 MeV. The total binding energy of the isotope (A−1)ZX obtained by removing one neutron is 484 MeV. If the neutron separation energy is N MeV, find N.

Physics · Nuclear physics · radioactivity and law of decay

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Neutron separation energy is the energy required to remove one neutron from the nucleus. If the larger nucleus has binding energy 492 MeV and the residual nucleus has binding energy 484 MeV, then the additional binding supplied by the last neutron is Sₙ = 492−484 = 8 MeV. Hence N = 8.