If M(A, Z), Mp and Mn denote the masses of the nucleus AZX, proton and neutron respectively in units of u (1 u = 931.5 MeV/c2) and BE represents its binding energy in MeV, then
- M(A, Z) = ZMp + (A - Z)Mn - BE
- M(A, Z) = ZMp + (A - Z)Mn + BE/c2
- M(A, Z) = ZMp + (A - Z)Mn - BE/c2
- M(A, Z) = ZMp + (A - Z)Mn + BE
Answer
(3) M(A, Z) = ZMp + (A - Z)Mn - BE/c2
Solution
The nucleus AZX has Z protons and (A - Z) neutrons.
The mass of a nucleus is less than the total mass of its nucleons by the mass defect M.
BE = M c2 M = BE/c2
M(A, Z) = ZMp + (A - Z)Mn - BE/c2
(BE must be divided by c2 to be a mass, so options (1) and (4) are dimensionally wrong.)
Answer: (3)