Question

Calculate the binding Energy of an alpha (α) particle in Mev from the following data. 

Mass of Helium Nucleus = 4.00260 u 

Mass of neutron = 1.008662 u 

Mass of proton = 1.007825 u.

Answer 1

Alpha particle: \(_2^4He\)Z = 2 and A = 4 

Mass defect: Δm = [Zm_p + (A-Z)m_n] – M 

Δm = 2 × 1.007825 + 2 × 1.008662 – 4.00260 

Δ m = 2.01565 + 2.017324 – 4.00260 

Δ m = 0.030374 u 

Binding energy: E_b = Δm × 931 MeV = 0.030374 × 931 MeV 

E_b = 28.2782 MeV