Question

H-2 has an atomic mass of 2.013098 u. Calculate its binding energy.

Calculate the binding energy per nucleon for H-2.

A clock mechanism at rest has a period of exactly 1 second. When this clock is observed while moving with a speed of 0.89 c, what is its period?

Answer 1

H-2 has one proton and one neutron

mass of 1 proton = 1.007276 u

mass of 1 neutron = 1.008665 u

mass of (1 proton +1 neutron)= 1.007276+1.008665 u

                                           = 2.015941 u

atomic mass of H-2 = 2.013098 u

so, mass defect m= 2.015941-2.013098 u

                           = 0.002843 u

binding energy E= mc² where c= speed of light in vacuum

                       E = (0.002843 u)*( 931.5 MeV/u) (since 1c² = 931.5 MeV/u)

                        E = 2.65 MeV

binding energy per nucleon = E/A

                                        = 2.65/2 MeV

                                         = 1.325 MeV

= 1 / sqrt{1- 0.89^2}

= 2.19317 sec