Two nuclei, each of mass number 3, combine with one nucleus of mass number 4 to form a nucleus of mass number 10. The binding energies per nucleon of the nuclei with mass numbers 3, 4 and 10 are 5.6 MeV, 7.4 MeV and 6.1 MeV, respectively. What is the magnitude of ΔMc² for the process?
Options

Question

Two nuclei, each of mass number 3, combine with one nucleus of mass number 4 to form a nucleus of mass number 10. The binding energies per nucleon of the nuclei with mass numbers 3, 4 and 10 are 5.6 MeV, 7.4 MeV and 6.1 MeV, respectively. What is the magnitude of ΔMc² for the process?

Options

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Initial total binding energy is BE(initial) = 2×3×5.6 + 4×7.4 = 33.6+29.6 = 63.2 MeV. Final total binding energy is BE(final) = 10×6.1 = 61.0 MeV. The magnitude of the energy difference is |ΔMc²| = |63.2-61.0| = 2.2 MeV. Correct option: C.