Physics 9702 · AS & A Level
Mass defect and nuclear binding energy
39 practice questions on Mass defect and nuclear binding energy, with worked solutions and instant marking.
Define the binding energy of a nucleus.
Feb/March 2017
One possible reaction occurring in the core of a nuclear reactor is represented by the incomplete nuclear equation below $^{235}_{92}\text{U} + ^{1}_{0}\text{n} \rightarrow ^{139}_{57}\text{La} + ^{95}_{42}\text{Mo} + 2^{1}_{0}\text{n} + \ldots$
Feb/March 2019
Explain what the term binding energy of a nucleus means.
Feb/March 2020
State the definition of the binding energy of a nucleus.
Feb/March 2024
The change in binding energy per nucleon $B_E$ with nucleon number $A$ for nuclei is plotted in Fig. 8.1.
May/June 2011
State what the binding energy of a nucleus means.
May/June 2011
State what the binding energy of a nucleus means.
May/June 2011
State what is meant by a nuclear fusion reaction.
May/June 2013
Explain why the mass of an $\alpha$-particle is smaller than the combined mass of two separate protons and two separate neutrons.
May/June 2013
State the meaning of a nuclear fusion reaction.
May/June 2013
Explain the meaning of the binding energy of a nucleus.
May/June 2014
Explain the meaning of the binding energy of a nucleus.
May/June 2014
One nuclear reaction that may occur inside a nuclear reactor is represented by the equation $^{235}_{92}\text{U} + ^{1}_{0}\text{n} \rightarrow ^{95}_{42}\text{Mo} + ^{139}_{57}\text{La} + 2^{1}_{0}\text{n} + x^{0}_{-1}\text{e}$. The nuclei and particles data are shown in Fig. 12.1.
May/June 2017
A nuclear reaction that can occur inside a nuclear reactor may be shown, in part, by the equation $^{235}_{92}\text{U} + ^{1}_{0}\text{n} \rightarrow ^{95}_{42}\text{Mo} + ^{139}_{57}\text{La} + 2^{1}_{0}\text{n} + \dots\dots\dots + \text{energy}$. Information for a nucleus and some particles is given in Fig. 12.1.
May/June 2017
A possible nuclear reaction occurring in a nuclear reactor is represented by the equation $^{235}_{92}\text{U} + ^{1}_{0}\text{n} \rightarrow ^{95}_{42}\text{Mo} + ^{139}_{57}\text{La} + 2^{1}_{0}\text{n} + x\,^{0}_{-1}\text{e}$. The nuclei and particle data are shown in Fig. 12.1.
May/June 2017
State what the binding energy of a nucleus means.
May/June 2019
State the meaning of the mass defect of a nucleus.
May/June 2020
State the meaning of nuclear binding energy.
May/June 2022
State what nuclear binding energy means.
May/June 2022
Define the term mass defect.
May/June 2023
State the meaning of the binding energy of a nucleus.
May/June 2024
The deuterium nucleus $^{2}_{1}\text{H}$ has a mass defect of $0.002388\,\text{u}$. The helium-4 nucleus $^{4}_{2}\text{He}$ has a mass defect of $0.030377\,\text{u}$. In this nuclear reaction, deuterium produces helium-4 according to $$3\,^{2}_{1}\text{H} \rightarrow \,^{4}_{2}\text{He} + \,^{1}_{1}\text{p} + \,^{1}_{0}\text{n}.$$
May/June 2025
Some power stations use nuclear fission as their energy source.
Oct/Nov 2010
Some power stations obtain their energy from nuclear fission.
Oct/Nov 2010
If a neutron is absorbed by a uranium-235 nucleus, this process can be written as the nuclear equation below. $^{235}_{92}\text{U} + ^{1}_{0}\text{n} \rightarrow ^{95}_{42}\text{Mo} + ^{139}_{57}\text{La} + x^{1}_{0}\text{n} + 7^{0}_{-1}\text{e}$
Oct/Nov 2012
State the meaning of nuclear binding energy.
Oct/Nov 2013
State the meaning of nuclear binding energy.
Oct/Nov 2013
One possible route to practical nuclear fusion is the D-T reaction.
Oct/Nov 2014
A practical route to producing nuclear fusion is the D-T reaction.
Oct/Nov 2014
Phosphorus-30 ($^{30}_{15}\text{P}$) was the first artificial radioactive nuclide made in a laboratory. It was formed by firing $\alpha$-particles at aluminium-27 ($^{27}_{13}\text{Al}$). A partial nuclear equation for this reaction is $^{27}_{13}\text{Al} + \alpha \rightarrow ^{30}_{15}\text{P} + \Phi$.
Oct/Nov 2016
State the meanings of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.
Oct/Nov 2018
A possible nuclear reaction is $^{235}_{92}\text{U} + ^{1}_{0}\text{n} \rightarrow ^{95}_{42}\text{Mo} + ^{139}_{57}\text{La} + 2^{1}_{0}\text{n} + 7^{0}_{-1}\text{e}$. The nuclei data for this reaction are shown in Fig. 12.1.
Oct/Nov 2019
One nuclear reaction that may occur is $^{235}_{92}\text{U} + ^{1}_{0}\text{n} \rightarrow ^{95}_{42}\text{Mo} + ^{139}_{57}\text{La} + 2\,^{1}_{0}\text{n} + 7\,^{0}_{-1}\text{e}$. The nuclei data for this reaction are shown in Fig. 12.1.
Oct/Nov 2019
Define the term nuclear binding energy.
Oct/Nov 2020
State what nuclear fusion means.
Oct/Nov 2023
State what nuclear fusion means.
Oct/Nov 2023
A uranium-238 nucleus ($^{238}_{92}\text{U}$) that is at rest decays by alpha emission to form a thorium-234 nucleus ($^{234}_{90}\text{Th}$). The alpha particle emitted has kinetic energy $4.200\,\text{MeV}$. A gamma-ray photon is emitted in the decay as well. Take the recoil kinetic energy of the thorium nucleus to be negligible. Table 8.1 lists the nuclide masses involved in the decay reaction, but the mass of the uranium-238 nuclide is not given. The energy released in the decay of uranium-238 is $4.274\,\text{MeV}$.
Oct/Nov 2025
The nuclear fusion reaction that yields helium-4 from deuterium is represented by $^{2}_{1}\mathrm{H} + ^{2}_{1}\mathrm{H} \rightarrow ^{4}_{2}\mathrm{He}$.
Oct/Nov 2025
A uranium-238 nucleus at rest $\left(^{238}_{92}\text{U}\right)$ decays by alpha emission to form a thorium-234 nucleus $\left(^{234}_{90}\text{Th}\right)$. The emitted alpha particle has kinetic energy $4.200\,\text{MeV}$. A gamma-ray photon is emitted as well during the decay. Take the rebound kinetic energy of the thorium nucleus to be negligible. The total energy released when the uranium-238 nucleus decays is $4.274\,\text{MeV}$.
Oct/Nov 2025