In: Chemistry
Fluorine has a single atomic species, Determine the atomic mass of by summing the masses of its protons, neutrons, and electrons, and compare your results with the value listed on the inside front cover. Explain why the agreement is poor.
19.158 u; This compares with a mass of 18.9984 u given in the periodic table. The difference, 0.160 u per atom, is called the mass defect and represents the energy that holds the nucleus together, the nuclear binding energy. This binding energy is released when 9 protons and 9 neutrons fuse to give a fluorine-19 nucleus.
Fluorine-19 mass exceeds periodic table value due to mass defect, energy binding nucleus, released during fusion.