If M(A, Z) is nuclear mass, Mₚ and Mₙ are proton and neutron masses, and BE is binding energy, then M(A, Z) is:
Options

Question

If M(A, Z) is nuclear mass, Mₚ and Mₙ are proton and neutron masses, and BE is binding energy, then M(A, Z) is:

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Mass defect Δm = ZMₚ + (A − Z)Mₙ − M(A, Z). By mass–energy equivalence, BE = Δmc². Solving for nuclear mass, M(A, Z) = ZMₚ + (A − Z)Mₙ − BE/c². Final answer: Option A.