A nucleus has Z protons and N neutrons, and binding energy B. If Mₚ and Mₙ are free nucleon masses, express nuclear mass M(N, Z).
Options

Question

A nucleus has Z protons and N neutrons, and binding energy B. If Mₚ and Mₙ are free nucleon masses, express nuclear mass M(N, Z).

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Binding energy B = [ZMₚ + NMₙ − M(N, Z)]c². Rearranging gives M(N, Z) = ZMₚ + NMₙ − B/c². Final answer: Option A.