Assuming the measured mass of a ¹²₆C atom to be exactly 12 u, calculate the mass defect using six proton masses and six neutron masses. Take mₚ = 1.00727 u, mₙ = 1.00866 u and 1 u = 931.5 MeV·c⁻². What is the mass defect expressed in MeV·c⁻²?
Options

Question

Assuming the measured mass of a ¹²₆C atom to be exactly 12 u, calculate the mass defect using six proton masses and six neutron masses. Take mₚ = 1.00727 u, mₙ = 1.00866 u and 1 u = 931.5 MeV·c⁻². What is the mass defect expressed in MeV·c⁻²?

Options

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Following the mass-defect calculation stated in the source, Δm = 6mₚ+6mₙ-12u. Substitute: Δm = 6(1.00727+1.00866)-12 = 6(2.01593)-12 = 12.09558-12 = 0.09558 u. Using 1 u = 931.5 MeV·c⁻², Δm = 0.09558×931.5 ≈ 89.03 MeV·c⁻². Correct option: B.