(a) Energy is required to separate a nucleus into its

Chapter , Problem 16

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(a) Energy is required to separate a nucleus into its constituent nucleons, as Figure 31.3 indicates; this energy is the total binding energy of the nucleus. In a similar way one can speak of the energy that binds a single nucleon to the remainder of the nucleus. For example, separating nitrogen 14 7N into nitrogen 13 7 N and a neutron takes energy equal to the binding energy of the neutron, as shown below: 14 7N 1 Energy 13 7N 1 1 0n Find the energy (in MeV) that binds the neutron to the 14 7N nucleus by considering the mass of 13 7 N (atomic mass 5 13.005 738 u) and the mass of 1 0n (atomic mass 5 1.008 665 u), as compared to the mass of 14 7N (atomic mass 5 14.003 074 u). (b) Similarly, one can speak of the energy that binds a single proton to the 14 7N nucleus: 14 7N 1 Energy 13 6C 1 1 1H Following the procedure outlined in part (a), determine the energy (in MeV) that binds the proton (atomic mass 5 1.007 825 u) to the 14 7 N nucleus. The atomic mass of carbon 13 6C is 13.003 355 u. (c) Which nucleon is more tightly bound, the neutron or the proton?