Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Mass defect and nuclear binding energy

Mass defect and nuclear binding energy — practice question

(a)[2]

State what the binding energy of a nucleus means.

(b)[3]

Show that $1.0\,\text{u}$ is equivalent to $930\,\text{MeV}$ of energy.

(c(i))[2]

The masses of some particles and nuclei are listed in Fig. 8.1. Use the data in Fig. 8.1 together with the information from (b) to find, in $\text{MeV}$, the binding energy of deuterium.

(c(ii))[3]

Find the binding energy per nucleon for zirconium.

(ii)[3]

Calculate the binding energy per nucleon for zirconium.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 13-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: The energy needed to separate the nucleons in a nucleus so that they are infinitely far apart

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