Nuclear Physics Developed by Mr. D. Patterson
Outcomes explain and apply the concepts of mass defect and binding energy of nuclides—this will include applying the relationships: Use conversion that 1 u of mass is equivalent to 931 MeV of energy
WINNER! Binding Energy Electromagnetic forces push protons apart Strong nuclear forces pull nucleons together WINNER!
Binding Energy Energy is required to break apart a nucleus The binding energy is the amount of energy required to break apart a nucleus Energy
Binding Energy
Binding Energy Individual nucleons have more mass than the same number of nucleons bound as a nucleus. Nucleons bound together as a nucleus have a lower potential energy than individual constituent parts. Individual Nucleons Bound Nucleons E=mc^2
Energy –Mass Equivalence E = mc2 E = energy (J) m= mass (kg) c = speed of light (3.0 x 108 m/s) Energy and mass are related by a constant If a system loses energy, it loses mass. If it loses mass, it loses energy.
Energy –Mass Equivalence If a system loses energy, it loses mass. If it loses mass, it loses energy. Energy is released E = mc^2 Mass is lost!
1 u = 931 MeV New units 1 atomic mass unit (u) = 1.661×10−27 kg 1 electron volt (eV) = 1.602×10−19 J How much energy does 1 u have in eV? E = mc^2 E = 1.66x10^-27 x 3x10^8 = 1.494 x10^-10 J E = 1.494*10^-10 / (1.602*10^-19) = 933 MeV (error due to rounding) 1 u = 931 MeV
Example problem Strategy: Find the mass defect Particle Mass Neutron 1.0087 u Proton 1.0073 u Carbon -12 nucleus 12.000 u What is the binding energy of a carbon-12 nucleus? Strategy: Find the mass defect Convert mass defect into energy
Example problem Strategy: Find the mass defect Particle Mass Neutron 1.0087 u Proton 1.0073 u Carbon -12 nucleus 12.000 u What is the binding energy per nucleon of a carbon-12 nucleus? Strategy: Find the mass defect Convert mass defect into energy Divide the energy by the number of nucleons The larger the energy per nucleon, the more tightly bound the nucleus is.