Question

Calculate the binding energy per nucleon in MeV for the iron isotope with an atomic
number of 26 and a mass number of 56,
56Fe26 which has an atomic mass of 55.9349 amu.

Answer 1

•     Binding Energy: The amount of energy released when a nucleus is formed from its components.•        Mass defect ΔM = Z*M_p + N*M_n-M_AZ= Atomic no., N= No. of neutrons M_p = Mass of proton, M_n = Mass of neutron,M_A= Atomic Mass

Binding Energy = ΔMc² = ΔM * 931.5 MeV

Binding Energy Per Nucleon = ΔMc² = (ΔM * 931.5 MeV)/ (no. of protons + no. of neutrons)

Here ΔM can be calculated from above equation as:

Z=26, N=30, M_p=1.0078 u, M_N= 1.0086 u.
ΔM = 26(1.0078) +30(1.0086)-55.9349ΔM = 0.5259 u

Binding Energy= ΔMc² = 0.5259 * 931.5 MeV = 489.87 MeV

Binding Energy Per Nucleon = (489.87)/56 = 8.74 MeV